SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Click below to review the list of food vendors participating this year!
DAT Bayou Concession (Bayou Seasoning)
Fries Over Guys
Game World
Hello Health
La Colombianita, LLC
Old Time (Ice Cream & Lemonade)
Red Apron
Sawas Dee Thai Foot
Sugar Chic Creamery
Sweet Spot (Formerly Specialty Kettle Corn)
Thai Crispy Crepe
Traveling Greek Food (BJ Events)
W Catering
Angie Burger
Gburrito
Thanks to generous event partners like presenting sponsor PNC Bank, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race remains the oldest and largest FREE balloon event in the country!
There is NO COST for admission to the Balloon Glow (Friday) or the Balloon Race (Saturday). Public parking areas & street parking within Forest Park is also free throughout the weekend.
Pease keep in mind parking spots are limited so we suggest you plan ahead and arrive as early as you can. Check out the “Getting Around” page for details on road closures and transportation. Food trucks, festival concessions and beverages will all be available beginning as early as 5 p.m. on Friday evening, Sept. 19 and 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. Attendees are also welcome to bring a picnic – soft-sided coolers and cans only, please, and no grills or open flames. More questions? Visit our FAQs page HERE.
THE GLOW | FRI. SEPT. 19
5:00 P.M. – Emerson Central Fields Opens
- Dance with DJ Reggie at the NEWGROUND INTERNATIONAL Main Stage
- Food trucks, concessions and St. Charles Nissan & Hyundai Family Picnic Areas open! (visit our FAQS page for more info about coolers and concessions).
- Visit the PNC Mobile Bank PLUS Activities from St. Louis Children’s Hospital and more!
- Midway concessions, food trucks, inflatables, games and sponsor activities begin
6:45 P.M. TO 8:45 P.M.** – THE BALLOON GLOW
The balloons “glow” like huge fireflies, a truly magical scene, and one not to be missed! The balloons do not launch during the balloon glow but for a portion of the evening (weather permitting) the rope line will be released, and spectators will be invited to walk around to enjoy the view and chat with pilots and crew.
9:00 P.S. – PERFORMANCE FROM THE CHUTERS U.S. VETERAN PARACHUTE TEAM
9:15 P.M. – PNC BANK FIREWORKS FINALE
RACE DAY | SAT., SEPT. 20
1:00 P.M. – CENTRAL FIELD OPENS
- Celebrate 53 years of GFPBR at the NEWGROUND INTERNATIONAL Main Stage featuring DJ Reggie
- St. Charles Nissan & Hyundai Family Picnic Areas Open
- Purina Children’s Entertainment Area Opens Featuring:
– Purina Pro Plan Performance Team (performances at
1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m.) - Visit the PNC MOBILE BANK PLUS Activities from St. Louis Children’s Hospital and more!
- Midway concessions, food trucks, inflatables, games and sponsor activities begin
3:00 P.M. – 3:45 P.M. – OPENING CEREMONIES WITH AN APPEARANCE FROM THE CHUTERS U.S. VETERAN PARACHUTE TEAM
4:30 P.M.** – PNC BANK “HARE” BALLOON LAUNCHES
Musical Performance of “UP UP AND AWAY” by
the WASH U Chamber Choir
4:45 P.M.** – “HOUND” BALLOONS LAUNCH
** PLEASE NOTE:
The flight window for THE RACE is between 4:30 and 6:00 PM. Our goal is always to launch as scheduled, however, exact launch time is weather dependent. The #GFPBR pilot team monitors wind conditions & flight path details in coordination with the national weather service, our #GFPBR pilots and air traffic control. Real-time updates will be posted on our social media channels.
