Photo courtesy of Melanie Pollock

By Brian Konrad

Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival returning to Medicine Hat

Mar 18, 2024 | 4:00 PM

The sky around Medicine Hat will be filled again in May as the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival returns.

The event has grown since it began in 2021, with planners looking to have 25 hot air balloons attend this year.

That could include balloonists from Montana and Colorado, as well as B.C., Alta., and perhaps Quebec.

Organizers are also hoping local business will get on board wit the Rise Up Champion campaign by posting images of ballons, decorating and bringing energy prior to the event in May.

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Willy Taillon says there will also be more opportunity for people to get close to the balloons this year.

“We’re doing two balloon glow nights on the Friday and the Saturday, that location is going to be at Kin Coulee park,” Taillon said.

The festival will also include Community Days downtown, with events at the Medicine Hat Public Library, arts and craft activity for children at the Esplanade and food trucks at the Towne Square.

Hues for Humanity will also hold it’s annual run on the Saturday of the festival and the planners are also looking to involve elementary schools this year.

There will also be opportunities for passenger rides this year, with details on morning flights to come closer to the event, which runs from May 23 to 26.

The passenger rides will be part of a campaign from Our Collective Journey to raise awareness for mental health and addictions.