Great Forest Park Balloon Race facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Forest Park Balloon Race |
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| Genre | Hot air balloon festival |
| Dates | 20-21 September 2024 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri |
| Years active | 51 |
| Participants | 70 |
| Attendance | 130,000 |
| Website | http://www.greatforestparkballoonrace.com |
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is a super exciting yearly event! It's a hot air balloon festival that takes place in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. Imagine over 70 colorful balloons floating in the sky! More than 130,000 people come to watch, making it the biggest one-day hot air balloon race in the whole United States.
Contents
History of the Balloon Race
The very first race happened in December 1973. It was started by Nikki Caplan and John O'Toole. Only six balloons and twenty people were there to watch.
How the Race Grew
In 1977, a group of four new balloon pilots took over. These men were John Marlow, John Schaumburg, Ted Staley, and Dan Schettler. They formed a group called the Mississippi River Balloon Transit Company. This company now hosts the largest and most popular balloon race.
A Special Honor
On May 23, 2000, the race received a special honor. The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress called it a "local legacy." This means the race's history is now saved forever. Photos, ads, and stories about the race are kept in the Library of Congress. The race did not happen in 2020.
What Happens at the Race
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is more than just a race. It's a big festival with lots of fun activities!
The Balloon Glow Event
The night before the race, there's a magical event called the Balloon Glow. All the hot air balloons are inflated but stay on the ground. Their burners light them up from the inside. It's like giant, colorful lanterns! Spectators can walk right among the glowing balloons. After the glow, there's often a fantastic fireworks show.
Music and Fun Activities
During the week of the event, there's a free concert. The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra plays music on Art Hill. This is a beautiful spot next to the Saint Louis Art Museum. The festival also has yummy food and drinks. Kids can enjoy inflatable castles and even a climbing wall.
How the Race Works
On race day, the balloonists try to "chase" a special balloon. This special balloon is a 166-foot tall pink bunny! The race starts from the Central Fields in Forest Park. The goal is to follow the bunny balloon until it lands. Then, each pilot drops a sandbag or birdseed bag. The pilot whose bag lands closest to the bunny wins!
A Challenging Race
Because the race is in the middle of St. Louis, it's very tricky. Pilots need to be very skilled to participate. They are invited to join the race. Balloons have landed in all sorts of places. These include backyards, baseball fields, golf courses, and even street intersections!
