The highly-anticipated Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival is kicking off its high-flying celebration today, September 26.
Located just 45 minutes south of Calgary in High River, the festival will bring together hot air balloons and hot air balloon enthusiasts from all around the globe, with pilots hailing from as far as Catalonia, Spain and Bristol, UK.
Celebrations start this evening at 4 pm with a warm welcome and crew registration at Heritage Inn, and the first balloons will take flight from the MacLeod Trail Launch Site at 5:30 pm.
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The best night to make the trip out is on Friday, September 28, because from 5 to 9 pm attendees can experience Balloon Night Glow, when hot air balloons will be lit up against the night sky.
Of course, no one wants to float away in the dark, so all the balloons are grounded for the Balloon Night Glow – though they will become airborne during competitive flight times throughout the festival.
Food trucks will be on scene for the event, which runs from Wednesday, September 26 to Sunday, September 30.
Come out, take some photos, and enter for a chance to win a flight in one of the floating balloons!
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Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival
When: Wednesday, September 26, to Sunday, September 30
Time: A full schedule of the festival can be found here
Where: Heritage Inn – 1104 11th Avenue SE, High River
Launch site – 917 Macleod Trail SW
Balloon Night Glow – Spitzee Elementary School field – 409 Macleod Trail SW, High River
Admission: Free for spectators, and balloon flights are $250 per passenger, reservations available online