The Great Forest Park Balloon Race kicks off this year on Friday, September 19 with the Balloon Glow, and continues Saturday, September 20 with the Balloon Race. This annual tradition brings more than 100,000 spectators together for two days of outdoor fun, new experiences, and memories to last a lifetime. WashU is proud to sponsor the event again in 2025.
Balloon Race – Run of Show
1:00 P.M. – Emerson Central Fields Open
- Celebrate 53 years of GFPBR at the NEWGROUND INTERNATIONAL Main Stage featuring DJ Reggie
- St. Charles Nissan & Hyundai Family Picnic Areas Open
- Purina Children’s Entertainment Area Opens Featuring:
– Purina Pro Plan Performance Team (performances at
1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m.) - Visit the PNC MOBILE BANK PLUS Activities from St. Louis Children’s Hospital and more!
- Midway concessions, food trucks, inflatables, games and sponsor activities begin
3:30 P.M. – OPENING CEREMONIES WITH AN APPEARANCE FROM THE CHUTERS U.S. VETERAN PARACHUTE TEAM
4:30 P.M.** – PNC BANK “HARE” BALLOON LAUNCHES
Musical Performance of “UP UP AND AWAY” by
the WASH U Chamber Choir
4:45 P.M.** – “HOUND” BALLOONS LAUNCH
** PLEASE NOTE:
The flight window for THE RACE is between 4:30 and 6:00 PM. Our goal is always to launch as scheduled, however, exact launch time is weather dependent. The #GFPBR pilot team monitors wind conditions & flight path details in coordination with the national weather service, our #GFPBR pilots and air traffic control. Real-time updates will be posted on our social media channels.