Great BalloonFest: What are the times, dates and forecast for the race?
Update:
Strong winds might put a crimp in the Balloon Glow scheduled for Friday night. Kentucky Derby Festival organizers issued a release Friday afternoon to announce plans if strong winds make the glow unsafe:
"Kentucky Derby Festival officials are keeping an eye on the forecast for tonight’s L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Glow, scheduled for tonight at 9 p.m. at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. The forecast currently calls for sustained winds at 10 to 12 mph, in addition to gusts between 20 to 30 mph. Those wind conditions would be too high for the balloons to inflate for a full glow," the release said.
"If the balloons can’t inflate in a traditional Glow, there will be a Candlestick Glow, where the pilots will fire their burners to light up the night sky along the waterfront. Fans will still be able to walk among the balloons, interact with the pilots and get photos with the balloon baskets. Tonight’s balloon event will be followed by an all-new Drone Show."
Original story:
It's Kentucky Derby Festival season in Louisville, which means the city is a big party — horses will race, mint juleps will be drunk, music will be played and balloons will take to the sky.
L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest will feature four hot-air balloon events, two Balloon Glows and two Balloon Races, starting Thursday evening, according to a release.
Cloudy skies and rain in the forecast mean one or more events might be canceled.
Admission to the L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest is free with a 2024 Pegasus Pin. Pegasus Pins cost $7 when bought ahead of time in retail stores and $10 if you buy them at the entrance.
More: Kroger's Fest-A-Ville is back. Here's your 2024 guide to the popular Kentucky Derby Festival event
What are the L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest events?
L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Glow at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
When: 9 p.m., Thursday, April 25
Where: Waterfront Park
What: Along with seeing balloons glow against the Louisville skyline, the balloon parade is at 7:30 p.m.
"This one-of-a-kind experience features balloons on the field but they do not ascend," according to a release. "As the pilots fire their burners, guests can watch the balloons glow against the night sky synchronized to a special musical score."
L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race
When: 7 a.m. Friday, April 26
What: "Launching from Bowman Field, it offers an eye-catching view for those driving on their way to work," the release states.
L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Glow
When: 9 p.m. Friday, April 26
Where: Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront
L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Race
When: 7 a.m. Saturday, April 27
What: More than 20 hot-air balloons will launch from Bowman Field in the main event of the L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest.
More: Kentucky Derby 2024: Five handicapping tips from The CJ's Better Derby Betting event
What is the forecast for the L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest weekend?
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 65 degrees. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday evening: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45 degrees. Northeast wind around 7 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 73 degrees. East wind 6 to 11 mph becoming south in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday night: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 65 degrees. South wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Saturday: A 10% chance of showers before 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 82 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind of 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
More: SEE IT: Some of the celebrities heading to The Trifecta Gala ahead of Kentucky Derby 150
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival: See the list of the BalloonFest events