(READINGTON, NJ) -- KC and the Sunshine Band are still as widely popular today as they were when they first danced onto the music scene 50 years ago. And when you’re having the celebration of the year, who else would you want to keep it comin’.

Presented by the New Jersey Lottery, KC and the Sunshine Band have been announced as the Saturday night concert headliners of the 40th annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning on July 29 at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ.

They’ll perform following that evening's mass hot air balloon ascension and in conjunction with the Festival's nighttime hot air balloon glow. Patrons who follow the Festival on social media (#njballoonfest) can receive a special pre-sale code for advance ticket purchases on Friday, March 10, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Tickets to the general public go on sale Monday, March 13 at 10:00am at www.balloonfestival.com.

The first 60 reserved concert ticket orders placed for KC and the Sunshine Band will receive a FREE Scratch-Off ticket from the New Jersey Lottery (limit one Scratch-Off per order).

“We are thrilled to have one of the greatest party bands of all-time with us as we throw the biggest party of the summer,” said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman. “People love to go to concerts where they know all the songs and can sing and dance along.”

Harry Wayne Casey – KC for short – developed a unique fusion of R&B and funk, with a hint of a Latin percussion groove.

With sales of over 100 million records, nine Grammy Award nominations, three Grammy Awards and an American Music Award, KC and the Sunshine band was one of the most progressive bands of the ‘70s and is credited with changing the sound of modern pop music with hits like “Get Down Tonight,” “That’s The Way (I Like It),” “Shake Your Booty,” and “Keep It Comin’ Love.”

This year KC and the Sunshine Band celebrate 50 years of entertaining us.

KC’s music continues to be a favorite, appearing in national ads for companies like General Motors, Burger King, Papa John’s Pizza, and Old Navy; as well as being featured in over 200 commercials, television shows, and movies, and at major sporting events.

The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. The three-day Festival from July 28-29-30 features the awe-inspiring spectacle of up to 100 balloons taking flight twice each day, headlining concerts, a nighttime hot air balloon glow, the New Jersey Lottery Land members-only VIP club lounge and entertainment complex, and family entertainment, in a safe, outdoor environment spread across Solberg Airport’s 744 acres.

The ability to attract the biggest names in music continues to be a major part of the Festival’s storied history. This will be KC and the Sunshine Band’s third appearance; they previously performed in 2001 and 2016.

For further information including tickets and VIP packages, follow #njballoonfest or visit www.balloonfestival.com.