Balloon Glow in Forest Park

 Per a request from my Grandfather, I made sure to get these photos up as soon as possible.
On Friday night, we took a long walk through Forest Park to be a part of one of the coolest events that the city has to offer. The balloon glow is the opening night to the annual Hot Air Balloon races in St Louis. The evening before the race, all the balloons are on display and people are able to see them up close and be a part of the festivities.


 As we approached the  balloons, it seemed surreal to have these enormous structures up close. I had never been near one, and as they glowed it really did seem magical how it all worked.
Often each balloon would have 4 to 5 people holding down the basket or tether to keep them grounded. There were bag-pippers playing and the typical fairground foods, turkey legs and funnel cakes. As we walked up I smiled to hear "99 Red Balloons" over the radio there.

The excitement would build as one team of ballooners would blow their air horn to signal to light the flames. Then all of them would fire up their tanks and you would have this awesome glow throughout the park.

I couldn't help but be as excited as Carlos was, he literally giggled and squealed in his chair every time he saw the flames bellow out.

 The evening ended when all the balloons came down and the crowds stayed to watch a fireworks display up close. By far this was one of my favorite evenings here in St Louis.
For one reason or another since we've been in the area, we have missed this event each year. I've always heard how cool it was and how beautiful the balloons were at night, but this was a great chance to experience them ourselves. It was even better to see it from the eyes of a two year old with all the awe and wonder he felt. "Hot Balloons" as he calls them hold a special place for both of us now.