MORE THAN 50 HOT AIR BALLOONS WILL TAKE TO THE SKIES
SEPT. 17-18 AT THE 49th ANNUAL GREAT FOREST PARK BALLOON RACE
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race presented by PNC Bank is moving forward with plans for its free family festival.
ST. LOUIS – July 6, 2021 – The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, presented by PNC Bank, has its sights set on returning to Forest Park for the 49th annual event, Sept. 17-18. The recently renovated 30-acre Emerson Central Fields in Forest Park will provide an ideal setting for bringing families and friends together for two days of outdoor fun, “wow” moments, new experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
PNC Bank returns as the presenting sponsor of The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, following a year in which the event was reimagined as a series of “Lift Up St. Louis” tribute flights to honor essential workers, healthcare heroes, educators and those standing up for change. While event organizers eagerly anticipate welcoming spectators to Forest Park in 2021, the “Lift Up St. Louis” sentiments of gratitude and strength will remain.
“The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is eternally grateful to PNC Bank and all the event sponsors, pilots and partners for their patience and support during our planning process and commitment to helping keep the event a free, family, fun weekend for all to enjoy,” said Jessica Stegen, director of communications and event production for The Great Forest Park Balloon Race. “We are so thrilled to welcome St. Louis back to Forest Park to soak up the sights and sounds of the beautiful balloons and festivities this September.”
The event will follow the lead of city and state officials, as well as the sanitization guidelines and protocols established by the CDC and local agencies. Extra hand sanitizing stations, additional picnic areas and cashless/touchless payment systems are just a few of the measures the GFPBR team is adopting to help ensure the safest, healthiest and most patron-friendly event possible.
“The Great Forest Park Balloon Race has a wonderful history of bringing St. Louis together – even last year when the event could not be presented in its traditional format,” said Michael Scully, PNC regional president for St. Louis. “All of us at PNC Bank look forward to seeing balloons fill the sky again, with renewed appreciation for those who ‘Lift Up St. Louis’ and are helping our community continue on the road to recovery.”
Additional updates and announcements, as well as “meet the pilot” feature content, will be posted at www.greatforestparkballoonrace.com and the event’s social media channels:
- Facebook facebook.com/greatforestparkballoonrace
- Instagram @greatforestparkballoonrace
- Twitter @gfpballoonrace
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