LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Great BalloonFest — one of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s most colorful and picturesque events — lifts off this weekend with three hot-air balloon events over two days.

What You Need To Know

  • The Great BalloonFest takes place in Louisville on April 28-29

  • The BalloonFest features three hot-air balloon events: the Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race, the Great Balloon Glow and the Great Balloon Race

  • Admission to the balloon events is free with a 2023 Pegasus Pin. Pegaus Pins can be purchased for $7 in advance at retail outlets or $10 at the gate

  • The first Great Balloon race was held in 1973

It all kicks off with the Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race, which returns this Friday, April 28 at 7 a.m. Launching from Bowman Field, organizers say it will be an eye-catching view for those driving on their way to work.

Also on Friday is the Great Balloon Glow at 9 p.m. at the Fest-a-Ville at Waterfront Park, which returns for its second year.

Organizers for the event encourage Glow spectators to come out early and make an evening out of it at Fest-a-Ville. The event boasts 900,000-square-feet of festivities, including concerts, cocktails, tasty food, family-friendly fun, midway rides and much more.

At around 9 p.m., the balloon pilots will fire their burners, making the balloons glow against the night sky.

The festivities continue on Saturday, April 29, when the Great BalloonFest culminates with its inaugural event — the Great Balloon Race. A field of over 20 balloons will launch at 7 a.m. at Bowman Field in the oldest portion of BalloonFest.

Admission to the balloon events is free with a 2023 Pegasus Pin. Pegasus pins are $7 in advance at retail outlets and $10 at the entrance to events.

They held the first Great Balloon Race in 1973. Pilots from all around the world have considered among the best in the country the Derby Festival’s balloon events.

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