International Hot Air Balloon festival floats back to High River this weekend

Sure, nowadays we have planes, trains, automobiles, jet packs, drones, and adult tricycles, but there is one form of transportation that will never quite lose its charm: hot air balloons.

Just 45 minutes south of Calgary, High River is home to the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival, a celebration of hot air balloons and the opportunity for us regular, stuck-on-the-ground folks to get a chance to see the big balloons in action.

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Unfortunately, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, organizers have had to cancel this year’s Friday night Balloon Glow event.

But never fear, the festival will still see its regular competitions.

The competition is not so much a race as it is a battle of navigational skills. Balloons need to complete tasks by arriving at specific locations in a set amount of time.

Food trucks will be on scene for the festival, which runs from Wednesday, September 23 to Sunday, September 27.

Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival

When: Wednesday, September 23, to Sunday, September 27
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