Name: The Great Forest Park Balloon Race & Glow
Start: 2025-09-19T17:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-09-20T18:00:00-05:00
Location: Emerson Central Fields, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO, United States, Missouri 63112

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race & Glow

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race (GFPBR) weekend, presented by PNC Bank, is the one of the longest running hot air balloon races 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. Now an internationally renowned event, GFPBR welcomes more than 60 of the nation's best hot air balloon pilots and thousands of spectators annually.
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is a FREE EVENT for all to enjoy family fun in Forest Park.
THE GLOW
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
The balloons “glow” like huge fireflies, a truly magical scene, and one not to be missed! The more than 60 hot air balloons inflate and tether in assigned spaces on the launch field. At the Glow, the balloons do not launch 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.
THE RACE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race presented by PNC Bank is a Hare and Hound-style race. The PNC Bank hot air balloon named "Bank on It" is the “Hare” and leads the pack, getting a head start at launch time and landing first. The other balloons, called "Hounds" launch in waves shortly after in pursuit of the "Hare" balloon. Once the Hare balloon lands, the pilot and crew lay an “X” out on the ground as a target. The pilot who drops their birdseed/bean bag nearest the center of the target is the winner!
Wind direction on Race Day (Sept. 20) will determine where the balloons fly and land. In the past, balloons have landed in all corners of the St. Louis metropolitan area and surrounding communities. You never know when a balloon might land on your street, a nearby park or a parking lot near your home!
A UNIQUE HISTORY
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is the one of only two 50+-year-old races 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 sponsors, the Race has grown to become an internationally renowned event that many St. Louis families have embraced as a multi-generational tradition. For as many things that have changed since the Race began in 1973, one thing that will never change is its free admission.