Great Forest Park Balloon Glow

This weekend is the annual Great Forest Park Balloon Race.  As most St. Louisans know, the highlight of the balloon race isn't the actual race, but the "Balloon Glow" the night before the race. This is when you can get up close and personal with the balloons and their drivers and sponsors, ask them questions, check out the gondolas, etc.  There are balloons of all shapes and sizes: a box of popcorn for the theater, a can of soda for Pepsi, a giant bottle of beer for Budweiser, a Yogi Bear head, a giant gumball machine and the famous Energizer Bunny, just to name a few.  People bring dinner and wine and picnic blankets and spread out all around the balloons.  There are marching bands and carnival rides and refreshments galore. Then, as the sun sets, the burners in the balloons light up the balloons and they glow.  It's really gorgeous.  And at the end of the night, there's a huge fireworks display to celebrate the race.  It's quite a spectacular event.  

Last year (I think, maybe it was 2 years ago) Ryan and I went to the Balloon Glow with his parents and I took a ton of photos, but never got around to posting them.  So, I figured now would be the perfect time.   

If you're in or around St. Louis this weekend, check the skies for racing balloons and consider going to the Glow tomorrow night.  Enjoy!