ST. LOUIS — What’s happening, what’s happening? It’s your boy, VOTP News, and this weekend we were back outside at Forest Park for the 54th annual Great Forest Park Balloon Race.
The park was packed with families, food, vendors and people lined up across the grounds waiting for the balloons to take over the St. Louis sky. According to organizers, 35 balloons took flight from Forest Park during this year’s race.
Before the balloons went up, there was plenty happening on the ground. We made our way through the vendor area and came across everything from bourbon chicken and Parmesan fries to Sugar Creek Creamery, Dragon’s Blood slushies, Honey Bee Tea and Dirty Sodas. There were also community organizations and businesses set up throughout the grounds, including PBS and several other vendors connecting with families during the event.
Once it was time for the main event, the field came alive. The Wonder balloon, the Energizer Bunny and branded balloons from PNC, Purina and Blue Moon were among the balloons that stood out as crews prepared for launch.
VOTP News also had an opportunity to speak with people involved in the race, including Danny and longtime balloon pilot David Reed. Reed helped explain just how much skill and experience goes into navigating a balloon when the wind, not a steering wheel, ultimately determines direction. He compared the amount of air inside one balloon to roughly 90,000 basketballs, giving spectators an idea of just how massive these balloons really are once fully inflated.
We also spoke with Kay Gaines as the event continued and got a closer look at the work that happens behind the scenes to prepare balloons and crews before takeoff.
One of the questions that always comes up during a balloon race in the middle of a major metropolitan area is where the balloons will land. Organizers explained that pilots work with the wind conditions at the time of flight and continuously look for the safest available place to come down. That can sometimes mean a landing in a neighborhood, open field or other unexpected location outside Forest Park.
Jessica Stegen, Director of Communications and Event Production for the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, said the event works with some of the most experienced pilots in the country.
“Our pilots navigate the direction of the wind at the time of their flight and always look for the safest place to land,” Stegen said. “Being a unique Race – flying out of a metropolitan area – obstacles can occur.”
Stegen also confirmed that a balloon was damaged during one of those landings, but the people involved were not injured.
“We are happy to report the pilot and crew at this location are all safe and sound, just some damage to the balloon,” Stegen said.
From the crews on the field to the families posted up across Forest Park, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race once again showed why it remains one of St. Louis’ signature events. Between the food, the vendors, the music, the crowds and the sight of dozens of balloons rising over the city, there was something happening in every direction.
A special thank you goes out to Beth Hoops with Mid Coast Media for helping us connect with the event, and DJ Reggie for keeping the energy going throughout the weekend.
And if you were there, there is a good chance we caught you somewhere in the crowd. Check out the full photo gallery, download your pictures, share them and make sure you tag VOTP News STL when you post them.
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