The Great Forest Park Balloon Race & Glow | What’s happening in St. Louis

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race & Glow


*The event has already taken place on this date: Sat, 09/16/2023
The 2023 Great Forest Park Balloon Race weekend, presented by PNC Bank, will take place at Emerson Central Fields in Forest Park on Fri., Sept. 15 (The GLOW) & Sat., Sept. 16 (The RACE). This free event brings families & friends together for two days of outdoor fun, “wow” moments, new experiences & memories that will last a lifetime.

Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.

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, wagons 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 FINAL

RACE DAY  |  SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

2:00 P.M. – CENTRAL FIELD OPENS

  • Celebrate 51 years of GFPBR at the WASH U Main Stage featuring DJ Reggie and exciting performances.
  • St. Charles Nissan & Hyundai 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.)
  • Visit the PNC Bank Mobile Learning Adventure PLUS Activities from St. Louis Children’s Hospital, wagons rides 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
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.

 

*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.

Location:

Forest Park
St. Louis, MO, 63112
United States
Contact name: 
Great Forest Park Balloon Race
The event has already taken place on this date: 
09/16/2023
Time: 
see website