Every summer, the Festival of Balloons in Tigard, Oregon, celebrates the local community and everything about hot air balloons. More than 20 of them are launched at dawn (weather permitting) from Cook Park, filling the morning sky with colours. Morning launches are scheduled between 5:45 and 6:15 a.m. Balloons follow the direction of the wind and can be seen over Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, Aurora, Wilsonville, or Woodburn.
In the afternoon, visitors can also indulge in shopping among arts and crafts vendors, enjoy the rides at the Funtastic carnival, participate or cheer for the youth soccer tournament, and listen to live music concerts and performances. The festival attracts over 15,000 attendees.
The Tigard Festival of Balloons features the Night Glow on Friday and Saturday nights. The Festival's program also features Rogue Ales Beer Garden, a car show, and the Twilight 5K Run. Proceeds from the festival go to various local charities like Tigard Breakfast Rotary, Tigard Lunch Rotary, or Foundation for Tigard-Tualatin Schools.
A three-day weekend pass can be purchased in advance for $5 online or $8 at the gate. The ticket provides unlimited access to the Festival for all three days. Kids aged 6 and under enjoy free admission. Organizers do not offer balloon flights to the visitors during the Festival; however, they provide tethered rides at no additional cost.
