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The Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival had its first successful flight of the festival on Friday morning. (Image Credit: Submitted Photo)
Runs until Sunday Morning

First successful flight of Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival takes off Friday morning

May 22, 2026 | 9:06 AM

Our Collective Journey’s Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival had its first successful flight of the festival on Friday morning.

Pilots lifted off from the cricket field in the Southlands neighbourhood of Medicine Hat between 6:30 and 7 a.m.


(Image Credit: Submitted Photo)

Balloons travelled north towards Crescent Heights, with one balloon spotted landing in the driveway of a home.

On Thursday, morning and evening flights were cancelled due to unfavourable weather, which included evening rain and lightning.

There are four more potential flights, and a variety of other activities as the festival runs until Sunday morning.

A potential evening flight is scheduled for 6 p.m., and a balloon glow at Kin Coulee Park is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Both of these will be pending weather conditions.

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