Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival underway in Medicine Hat with first flight cancelled

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(Image Credit: Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival)

The festival is in its fifth year, and includes 34 balloons and pilots from across Canada and the United States.

There will be six more opportunities for pilots to rise up to the sky.

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at about 6 p.m. and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at about 6 a.m.

Balloon Glows are also scheduled at Kin Coulee Park on Friday and Saturday night around 8:30 p.m.

In an interview before the festival, organizer Willy Taillon told CHAT News that safety remains the top priority, and all flights will depend on weather and wind conditions.

“Safety is number one for putting on a hot air balloon festival,” Taillon said.

“We’re excited to fly and just as disappointed if we can’t fly. If we’re not flying, it’s probably for a good reason.”

Launch locations are determined based on real-time weather conditions.

Flights can potentially launch from several sites across the city, including Kin Coulee, the Big Marble Go Centre, Echo Dale Regional Park, the cricket field on 13th Avenue and the Ross Glen Greenbelt.

Festival updates and livestream pilot safety meetings briefings are available on the event’s Facebook and Instagram pages during the May 21-24 event.

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READ: Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival set to launch biggest event yet Thursday morning (May 20, 2026)

by Jesse Gill

Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival underway in Medicine Hat with first flight cancelled

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