April 25, 2023. Louisville, KY. – The L&N Federal Credit Union Great BalloonFest – one of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s most colorful and picturesque events – lifts off this weekend with three hot-air balloon events over two days. L&N Federal Credit Union is the new Title Sponsor of the event taking flight Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29.
It kicks off with the L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race, which returns this year on Friday, April 28 at 7 a.m. Launching from Bowman Field, it offers an eye-catching view for those driving on their way to work.
Also, on Friday, April 28 is the L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Glow at 9 p.m. at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville on the Waterfront, where it returns for the second year.
Glow spectators are encouraged to come out early and make an evening out of it at Fest-a-Ville – the ultimate entertainment venue that is home to 900,000 square feet of festivities, including concerts, cocktails, tasty food, family-friendly fun, midway rides and much more. At around 9 p.m., the balloon pilots will fire their burners, making the balloons glow against the night sky. The Balloon Glow will be streamed live on WLKY.com on Friday, April 28, and a broadcast special will air on Saturday, April 29, at 8 p.m. on WLKY.
The festivities continue on Saturday, April 29 when the Great BalloonFest culminates with its inaugural event – the L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Race. A field of more than 20 balloons will launch at 7 a.m. at Bowman Field in the oldest portion of BalloonFest.
Admission to the balloon events is free with a 2023 Pegasus Pin. Pegasus Pins are $7 in advance at retail outlets and $10 at the entrance to events. Contributing Sponsors of the BalloonFest are Breeze Airways, Kentucky Kingdom & Hurricane Bay and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Media Sponsors: MIX 106.9 and WLKY.
Since the first Great Balloon Race was held in 1973, the Derby Festival’s balloon events have been considered among the best in the country by pilots from all around the world. BalloonFest attractions are annually among the most popular family-friendly events on the Derby Festival schedule.
