The Great Forest Park Balloon Race returns to Emerson Central Fields. NOTE: The Balloon Glow takes place the night before.

Schedule for Race Day:

2:00 P.M. – CENTRAL FIELD OPENS

• Main Stage featuring DJ Reggie

• Family Picnic Areas Open

• Purina Children’s Entertainment Area Opens Featuring:
  – Purina Pro Plan Performance Team (performances at 2 p.m., 3:45 p.m.)
  – Activities from St. Louis Children’s Hospital
  – Snap a a commemorative social media-worthy photo at “A View Worth Saving”, the new photo experience from PNC Bank

• Performances from local St. Louis dance and theatre troupes + inflatables, games, giveaways

• Midway concessions, food trucks 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

• 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.

THE RACE  

Join us Saturday as 50 beautiful hot air balloons launch from Central Fields and fly across the St. Louis skyline.  Join us as early as 1 p.m. to enjoy food, live music and local St. Louis youth performances on the Main Stage, jump on inflatables in the Purina Children’s Entertainment Area and snap a a commemorative social media-worthy photo at “A View Worth Saving”, the new photo experience from PNC Bank! Tour the midway for photo opps, giveaways and new experiences from Children’s Hospital, KMOX, Marcus Theatres and many more.  

HOW DOES THE RACE WORK?

Unlike a traditional race, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race is not based on speed. It is a hare and hound-style race. Launch time is 4:30 p.m. and all eyes will be on the PNC Bank balloon (the “Hare”), which launches first and lays out a large “X” on the ground next so where it lands. The other balloons (the “Hounds”) then try to follow the PNC Bank balloon as closely as possible, and the pilot who is able to drop a bean bag as close to the center of the “X” as possible wins.  

A UNIQUE HISTORY

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is the second longest running balloon race in the country, and the only one that takes place in a large metropolitan city. The tradition began in 1973 with a handful of hot air balloons and a few spectators.  Through the generous support of our sponsors, the event has grown to an internationally renowned event where multiple generations of many St. Louis families have made it their own tradition.  For as many things that have changed since the Race in 1973, one thing that will never change is that the event will stay free of charge.