SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

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. 15 and 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. 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 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

5:00 P.M. – Emerson Central Fields Opens

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 Bank Mobile Learning Adventure PLUS Activities from St. Louis Children’s Hospital, tractor rides with Sydentricker Nobbe, and more!
Midway concessions, food trucks, inflatables, games and sponsor activities begin

6:00 P.M. – Dance with DJ Reggie at the WASH U Main Stage

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.M. – THE U.S. ARMY GOLDEN KNIGHTS PARACHUTE TEAM TAKES FLIGHT

9:15 P.M. – PNC BANK FIREWORKS FINALE

RACE DAY | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

1:00 P.M. – CENTRAL FIELD OPENS

Celebrate 51 years of GFPBR at the WASH U Main Stage featuring DJ Reggie and exciting performances from
WASH U Acapella Groups & The “Pazazz Performers” from the St. Louis Academy of Dance.
Celebrate multiculturalism, music mentorship and mental wellness with the Dragon Drum & Bugle Corps!
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 Bank Mobile Learning Adventure PLUS Activities from St. Louis Children’s Hospital, climb on a tractor with Sydentricker Nobbe, and more!
Midway concessions, food trucks, inflatables, games and sponsor activities begin

3:00 P.M. – THE U.S. ARMY GOLDEN KNIGHTS PARACHUTE TEAM TAKES FLIGHT

3:30 P.M. – OPENING CEREMONIES

4:30 P.M.** – PNC BANK “HARE” BALLOON LAUNCHES
“Up Up & Away” Performed by: Christina Smiley, Ph.D. Student in Music – Washington University in St. Louis and M. Noël Prince, Teacher of Applied Voice – Washington University in St. Louis

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.