We are getting very excited about the launch of the 2024 Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival.
We're so happy to be the title sponsor and official Balloon Festival Headquarters again this year!
The first Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival launched September 2013, just three months after horrific flooding devastated the town. Now in its ninth year, the festival has become a symbol of optimism and resilience in High River—and it’s a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience the spirit of our lovely town. The festival continues to be organized by a dedicated group of volunteers and supported by many local individuals, organizations and businesses, and the Town of High River.
The five-day festival will be a little different this year. It starts runs September 25 and will feature a Hot Air Balloon competition. It will bring in pilots from across Canada and the United States to our town, and spectators from Calgary, and southern Alberta.
As festival headquarters, the Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre will host flight briefings before each flight competition (yes, competitive ballooning is a thing). Competition flights will take place twice daily at 7:30 am and 5:15 pm. There will be one flight on Sunday at 7:30 am. The Fiesta flights will launch from the High River Macleod Trail launch field, and the Balloon Glow is held at the Wallaceville Glow Site. All flights and the Balloon Glow Evening are weather dependent and could be cancelled if mother nature does not cooperate.
Reminder when following balloons in flight, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES enter a landowner's driveway or field. You must stay on public roads. Remain at a safe distance behind chase vehicles and give them the right-of-way. Crews need to get to their pilots and balloons as safely and swiftly as possible.
For more information about the festival, the event schedule, and the balloon competition please visit:
http://www.heritageinninternationalballoonfestival.com