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 colors. Morning launches are scheduled between 5:45 and 6:15 am. 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.
Tigard Festival of Balloons Events and Activities
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, a 5K Run on Saturday, aPancake Breakfast, and the Festival of Cars on Sunday. The kids' zone operates on Friday from noon to 7 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm. It's located on the main field and features a hot air balloon exhibit and a plethora of free activities for your kids.
Friday Events Schedule
On Friday, festival guests can enjoy hot air balloon launches (5:45 am – 6:15 am), a pancake breakfast (6:30 am – 10 am), Tethered Rides (6:30 am – 7:30 am), the Funtastic Carnival Fun Center (10 am – 11 pm), Kids Zone featuring a Hot Air Balloon Exhibit (12 pm – 7 pm), the Rogue Ales Beer Garden (1 pm – 11 pm), food, craft vendor, and commercial exhibitor booths (3 pm – 11 pm), Main Stage Entertainment presented by Krista Britton, Hillshire Realty Group (3:30 pm – 11 pm), and the NW Natural Night Glow at sunset.
Saturday Events Schedule
On Saturday, the Festival will host hot air balloon launches (5:45 am – 6:15 am), a pancake breakfast (6:30 am – 10 am), Tethered Rides (6:30 am – 7:30 am), Balloon Festival 5k Fun Run (8 am & 8:30 am), the Funtastic Carnival Fun Center (10 am – 11 pm), Kids Zone featuring Hot Air Balloon Exhibit (11 am – 7 pm), food, craft vendor, and commercial exhibitor booths (11 am – 11 pm), the Rogue Ales Beer Garden (11 am – 11 pm), Main Stage Entertainment presented by Krista Britton, Hillshire Realty Group (3:30 pm – 11 pm), and the NW Natural Night Glow at sunset.
Sunday Events Schedule
The last day of the festival will also not leave the audience without interesting activities, such as hot air balloon launches (5:45 am – 6:15 am), a pancake breakfast (6:30 am – 10 am), Tethered Rides (6:30 am – 7:30 am), the Funtastic Carnival Fun Center (10 am – 5 pm), Festival of Cars presented by Landmark Ford (10 am – 3:30 pm), the Rogue Ales Beer Garden (11 am – 5 pm), food, craft vendor, and commercial exhibitor booths (11 am – 5 pm). The Festival closes at 5 pm.
Tickets
A three-day weekend pass can be purchased online only at $15. The ticket provides unlimited access to the Festival for all three days. Kids aged 6 and under enjoy free admission. Parking is available at $15 per day and shuttle at $2 per person. Proceeds from the festival go to various local charities like Tigard Breakfast Rotary, Tigard Lunch Rotary, or Foundation for Tigard-Tualatin Schools. Note that organizers do not offer balloon flights to the visitors during the Festival; however, they provide tethered rides at no additional cost.
