Photography courtesy of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race
This weekend, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race returns to Forest Park.
Photography by Mary Butkus, courtesy of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race
The event kicks off 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.
The elite U.S. Army parachute team, the Golden Knights, will return for both days. “They came last year for the first time for the 50th anniversary,” says Jessica Stegen, director of communications and event productions. “Everybody loved them so much, they will be back.” For the Friday night jump, the Knights will have flares and lights on their gear, and they’ll land directly on the field. And the evening ends with fireworks.
Photography courtesy of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race
Photography by Mary Butkus , courtesy of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race
On Saturday starting at 1 p.m., there will be music, performances, concessions, and food trucks, as well as those nimble canines from the Purina Pro Plan Performance Team. At 3 p.m., the Golden Knights descend again, this time with flags.
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 will launch its “hare" balloon 15 minutes before the rest, known as the “hounds.” The hare lands and marks the spot with an X, and the hounds drop beanbags from their baskets. The closest to the mark is the winner, with wind and distance calculations setting up the winner for success.
“We started this year in planning with a renewed focus on creating an even better experience by the thousands of people who join us every year,” Stegen says. “We’ve moved our main stages to the corner of the field for more space for dancing. We’ve also been able to expand our family picnic area spaces, with more room for folks to hang out.” The accessible viewing area is closer to the main stage, and ADA accessible parking is much closer to the action, Stegen says.
Check the website to plan your visit.
