International Balloon Festival - Balloon Glow Evening

The International Balloon Festival is taking place Sept. 25 - 29 in High River. One of the most spectacular and popular events of the festival is the Friday evening Balloon Glow event. The event is an experience like no other. While waiting for sunset to arrive, we can grab something to to eat from food vendors and take in the pre-Glow activities like the walk-in balloon, DJ, and dancers.

A half-hour before sunset on Friday (Sunset = 7:22 pm on Sept. 27), the balloon area of the field starts to buzz with activity as pilots and their crews inflate their envelopes. Once all the balloons are inflated and the go signal is given, your chance to get up close and personal to the balloons begins.

Wander under the gentle giants, feeling the heat and hearing the blasts from the flaring burners as the balloons light up against the dark sky. The sights, the sound, the heat, the crowd come together in a magical evening that will leave you eagerly anticipating to do it again next year.

For a full description of this and the other International Balloon Festival weekend events, visit: Balloon Festival Website

Let's be environmentally and fiscally sensible and carpool together from Calgary to the event site in High River. Greta Thunberg already scowls at me enough. And parking in High River is fairly pricey. Meet at the Southeast corner of the Somerset/Bridlewood C-Train Station parking lot (nearest the Wendy's Tim Hortons) at 5:15 pm. We will divvy up rides and passengers and leave as a carpool at 5:30 pm. We will then rendezvous at the Balloon Glow site after an approximate 30 minute drive.

WHAT:
International Balloon Festival - Balloon Glow Spectacle

WHERE:
Somerset / Bridlewood C-Train Station
Southeast Parking lot closest to Wendy's / Tim Hortons.
GPS/Google Maps: 50.89896, -114.06671

Rendezvous at Balloon Glow: South End of the Centre Street/Highway 2A bridge over the Highwood River approx. 6:00 - 6:15 pm (Highway 2A is closed to traffic for the event) where the park and ride buses let you off at the balloon event. See event map in photos.

WHEN:
Friday, Sept. 27 5:15 pm meet for carpool 5:30 pm SHARP departure

COST/PAYMENT: There is NO COST to attend this event. However, passengers are requested to reimburse drivers $10 each to cover gas money and the park & ride fee per vehicle in High River ($20/vehicle). Please bring cash as cash will be needed to enter the park & ride lot.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
- The event is weather dependent and may be postponed or cancelled depending on circumstances. Please keep an eye out for notifications as the date approaches.
- Dogs are not permitted at the Balloon Glow Event.
- If you are feeling ill, please do not attempt to participate. Stay home and get better.
- Be respectful to others and observe personal boundaries.
- If there are any concerns with another member's behaviour, let the event organizer know so we can address it immediately.

WAIVER: By signing up (RSVP) for this event, you signify that you are aware of the risks associated with attending an outdoor festival event and how your physical limits relate to this event. You agree that you take full responsibility without exception for the safety and well-being of yourself and your guest(s) and do not hold the organizers and hosts of this Meetup responsible for any harm, injury or property damage that might occur as a result of your participation. Participants who agree to carpool do so at their own discretion and risk. You acknowledge that it is unsafe and against the law to drive while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.