In its 47th year, The Great Forest Park Balloon Race begins on Friday, September 20, with the scenic Balloon Glow, or Gaslight Glow, and is followed by the balloon race on Saturday.
Come Friday's dusk, pilots will begin inflating their balloon, blasting propane burners, releasing fire into the balloon, giving the balloon its firefly-like glow. During this time, attendees can speak with balloon pilots and crews and learn about the "lighter-than-air" aircraft. Boogie Chlyd, a local band playing everything from Mo-Town to disco, will provide entertainment. Guests can hit up one of the many food trucks and concession stands for plenty of fare or beverages.
At Saturday's balloon race, skydivers take flight at 3 p.m. and PNC Bank "Hare" balloon will launch at 4:30 p.m. The Hare and Hounds–style balloon race is all about strategy. The Hound who tosses the birdseed bag closest to the Hare's landing target wins the race. Want to know who's making an appearance this year? Check out this year's pilots and balloons.
Here are five other things to know before you go:
1. According to the National Balloon Museum, Nikki Caplan, one of the race’s founders, was the premier balloon pilot in Missouri. Her first balloon was a 1968 model AX-6, fittingly named Les Sprit de St. Louis (“Spirit of St. Louis”). Caplan co-founded the balloon race in 1973; also that year, she was first to (legally) fly a balloon through the legs of the Arch.
2. Yes, it’s free. It’s also the second-oldest balloon race in the country. (Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Balloon Fiesta is first, but it also costs $10 a session.) Bonus: You can bring your pet, as long as they attend on a non-retractable leash.
3. The last St. Louis balloon to win was in 2013, piloted by Joe Nusrala. St. Louis balloons have won the race 14 times since its inception. The winner of the 46th annual Great Forest Park Balloon Race was Mike Bien, "Curly Top," from Chesterfield, Missouri.
4. There was no race in 2016 because of poor conditions after rainy weather, though since the event started in 1973, it’s only been canceled twice due to rain. Wind is another reason the balloon race could be nixed—the last time that happened was 1983.
5. You can bring food to the race, but open flames aren’t allowed, so no grilling. Check out this list to see what’s permissible on the grounds (you also can’t fly a drone near the balloons).
The schedule:
Friday, September 20
- Festivities Begin, 5 p.m.
- Boogie Chyld performs on the Maryville University Main Stage, 6 p.m.
- Balloon Glow Begins, dusk until 9 p.m.
- PNC Bank Fireworks Finale, 9:15 p.m.
Saturday, September 21
- The Great Forest Park Race festivities begin, 12 p.m.
- Skydivers take flight, 3 p.m.
- Opening Ceremonies, 3:30 p.m.
- PNC Bank "Hare" balloon launches, 4:30 p.m.
- "Hounds" balloons launch, 4:45 p.m.
