Spectators can walk among hot air balloons during a special event tonight in High River.
The Balloon Glow is a highlight of the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival. During the glow, pilots inflate their balloons and invite visitors to get up close.
"Once all the balloons are inflated and the go signal is given, your chance to get up close and personal to the balloons begins," organizers said.
Activities begin at 5 p.m. with a walk-in balloon, DJ and dancers, and food trucks along Centre Street in the Wallaceville area.
Balloon pilots and crews start to inflate their canopies from approximately 7 to 7:30 p.m.
The glow ends at about 8:30 p.m. and the event winds up at 9 p.m.
With large crowds expected, there are several options for parking. Park N' Ride lots are set up on the north and south parts of town, with shuttles taking visitors to the glow site, and there is a Park N' Walk lot just to the north. Parking in those areas is $20 per vehicle and is cash only, as are some vendors, organizers say.
Free accessible parking is available at the south entrance only.
Organizers say visitors should watch for updates on social media and should plan to arrive early.
The Balloon Glow is just one part of the festival. Weather permitting, pilots fly from a launch site as many as two times per day.
The next flights are scheduled for 7:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 28, and the final chance to fly is in the morning on Sept. 28.
Weather conditions, so far, have left the pilots grounded. Since the festival began on Wednesday, rain or wind has prevented all four scheduled launches.
For more information, parking maps or schedules, see heritageinninternationalballoonfestival.com or Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival on Facebook.
