Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival returns to Medicine Hat

The remaining flights will soar above the city throughout the weekend at these times:

-Friday Morning Flight – Around 7:00 AM

-Friday Evening Flight – Around 7:00 PM

-Saturday Morning Flight – Around 7:00 AM

–Sunday Morning Flight – Around 7:00 AM

All locations to be announced prior to flight on their Facebook page.

The highlight of the festival is the Balloon Glow Community Day on Saturday. It will include a market, games, live music, family friendly events and an outdoor movie.

During the evening hot air balloons will be tethered to the ground and inflated, allowing festival-goers to see their vivid designs up-close. There will also be the opportunity to interact with the pilots.

Organizers say after the overwhelming reception last year they had to move the Balloon Glow event from Echo Dale park to Co-op Place.

They are hoping over 10,000 people will attend the festival this year.

Founder Willy Tallion says the festival has partnered with local non-profit organization Our Collective Journey to raise awareness around mental health.

“The one thing the pandemic showed us was that we needed to have those conversations with our family and friends. Having a Rise Up Hot Air Balloon festival, it does that, it brings the community together, gets everyone out reconnecting,” says Tallion

“We have a community, connection and hope are the three things that we strive for,” adds Tallion.

Tallion says the festival is utilizing three locations for balloon launch sites with a goal of covering all skies above Medicine Hat to give residents the best viewing opportunities.

Over 150 local volunteers helped to put on the festival.

by Brendan Miller

Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival returns to Medicine Hat

Our Community