Adirondack Balloon Festival officials have announced final plans for this year’s event set for Sept. 19-22, including the debut of a new special-shape balloon, Stinky the Skunk.

This year, the event, split between Crandall Park in Glens Falls and Warren County airport in Queensbury, is listed by the American Bus Association as one of the top 100 events in North America.

The balloon festival is the only event in the region to receive the designation, according to a news release from festival officials.

“We are very proud of the wonderful exposure our event is able to provide to Warren County and our region as a whole. The balloon festival enhances the quality of life for our region and has a tremendous economic impact as well,” said Mark Donahue, president of the festival’s board of directors.

The 41st Adirondack Balloon Festival will kick off at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Crandall Park with a musical performance by the Stony Creek Band from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and opening ceremonies at 5 p.m., followed by a launch at 5:15 p.m. of up to 20 balloons.

Then the city of Glens Falls Block Party is scheduled from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and will feature a car show and fireworks.

On Sept. 20, the gates open at the airport. A balloon launch is set for 5 p.m. with more than 80 balloons including special shapes.

Stinky the Skunk is owned by John Cavin, who has attended the festival for many years, the release said. His other balloon, The Purple People Eater, also will be launched this year.

Another special shape, Clawd the Crazy Crab, returns to the festival this year. Clawd is owned and flown by pilot Jim Regan, a veteran balloonist and firefighter from Kensington, Conn.

On Sept. 21 at 8 p.m., organizers hope to have more than 20 balloons illuminating the sky for the moonglow at the airport.

Flights of up to 100 balloons are set for 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. that day also.

The “Big Balloon Breakfast” in the airport hangar is set for 5 to 11 a.m. Sept. 21 and 22.

On Sept. 22, a simultaneous flight of up to 100 balloons called “Walter’s Mass Ascension” is set for 6:30 a.m. The flight honors the festival’s late co-founder, Walter Grishkot.

Other events at the airport include a craft fair and musical performances.