Photography courtesy of Great Forest Park Balloon Race
There they glow! This weekend, a beloved late-summer staple returns to Forest Park: the Great Forest Park Balloon Race.
The weekend-long event features the incomparable experience of watching hot air balloons, both up close as they inflate and racing across the sky.
“I think being able to have almost 50 balloons in one spot in Forest Park and being able to welcome St. Louis back to Forest Park is going to knock peoples’ socks off,” says Jessica Stegen, director of communications and event production for the race.
The event starts on Friday at 5 p.m. at Emerson Central Fields, with food trucks and music. Once the sun goes down, the “glow” begins—pilots inflate the balloons by blasting fire into them. The sights and sounds are unlike anything else. And if your hunger for pyrotechnics isn’t quite sated, the evening ends with fireworks.
“We have a lot of the traditional elements back,” says Stegen. “In a year like 2021, having traditional elements back and feeling like we’re getting back to normal is pretty special.”
On Saturday, there’s music, performances, concessions and food trucks, and those nimble canines from the Purina Pro Plan Performance Team. At 3 p.m., skydivers glide through from the sky. Opening ceremonies are at 3:30 p.m., and the race begins at 4:30 p.m.
The race itself is a traditional style—based on accuracy, rather than speed—known as "hare and hound." Event sponsor PNC has a balloon called “Bank on It,” which is the “hare.” It’s released 15 minutes before the rest, known as the “hounds.” The hare lands and marks the spot with an X, and the hounds all drop beanbags from their baskets—closest to the mark is the winner, with wind and distance calculations setting the winner up for success.
Lots of pilots are bringing new balloons this year. One called “Striker” in the shape of a soccer ball is especially welcome this year, considering our forthcoming MLS team, and will have temporary tattoos to hand out. (That is, on Friday only; shaped balloons are tough to race!) Another new element: a photo experience, a forced-perspective view that makes it look like you’re in a balloon, and a “maniac light” that mimics a balloon’s burner. Let the social media likes commence!
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, Emerson Central Fields, Forest Park. September 17 & 18. Free to attend, concessions available for purchase.
