Great Balloon Race in Galesburg, IL 2024, Illinois

Great Balloon Race is an annual ballooning fiesta, gathering crowds for a fun-packed weekend in late July at Lake Storey Park in Galesburg, IL. The festival focuses on the competition, featuring about 30 hot air balloons operated by pilots from all across the country.

The pilots gladly share their balloons and related stories with local families. In addition, the guests to the Galesburg Balloon Race can indulge in the traditional balloon glow show and other family-friendly activities and entertainment. The event is free and open to the public.

Great Balloon Race Highlights

Festivities typically open at 3 pm on Friday. Mass balloon launches are scheduled for 6 pm and 6 am through Sunday. Balloon glow spectaculars at 8:30 pm highlight the evening program on Friday and Saturday. Other attractions include a motorcycle show on Saturday afternoon, children's crafts, and surely food vendors to keep you full and contented. Note that the schedule typically changes closer to the event since all activities are weather-dependent.

Festival Events Program

On Friday, the first festival day, the program will start at 3 pm with food vendors set up by the shelter of the launch field and will last till the beginning of the night glow. Touch a Truck Game will take place at the Galesburg Community Arts Center from 5 to 8 pm. Guests can enjoy a mass ascension of the balloons at 6 pm and the balloon night glow at 8:30 pm.

Festival Saturday will kick off with a pilot briefing on the field at Lake Storey at 5:30 am, followed by a balloon Launch at 6:30 am. Children’s crafts will be available at the Galesburg Community Arts Center from 5 pm to 8 pm. A mass ascension of the balloons will entertain the public at 6 pm. The day ends with the spectacular balloon night glow at 8:30 pm.

On Sunday, the last festival day, there will be a pilot briefing on the field at Lake Storey at 5:00 am, followed by a balloon Launch at 6:00 am.

Great Balloon Race History

The Great Balloon Race in Galesburg has been held since 2000 and hosts more than 30 hot air balloons each year. Families from all over the region have attended this event to see the balloons, and pilots participate and share their stories with the public.