A Night Glow takes place at dusk into the evening when pilots inflate their balloons and fire the propane burners. Each burst of flame lights up the balloons from the inside, causing them to glow like giant fireflies against the night sky. It’s a truly magical sight and one of the highlights of the event. During a Night Glow, the balloons do not launch. Instead, they remain tethered on the ground while the pilots periodically fire the burners to create the glowing effect.

No, tethered balloon rides are not offered at this event.

The Great Galena Balloon Race takes place on the North Course Driving Range at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in beautiful Galena Country. The rolling hills provide a stunning backdrop for hot air balloons and make for an unforgettable experience for spectators.

Yes! One of the unique things about the Great Galena Balloon Race is that spectators are often able to get up close and watch the balloons inflate and launch. Please keep track of your children! There are many ropes attached to the balloons before they are inflated, which can be a tripping hazard. Balloons can also roll and move around while they are being inflated, so it’s best to keep a safe distance during the inflation process. Once the balloons are standing, pilots often enjoy visiting with spectators and answering questions. For everyone’s safety, please follow instructions from pilots, crew members, and volunteers, and stay clear of equipment and moving vehicles.

Absolutely! We’ll have a variety of food vendors on-site serving everything from barbecue and burgers to gyros, wraps, chicken, lobster, and more. Friday Night Food Vendors: Cousins Maine Lobster The Hangry Hobo Birds Serious Chicken Jimmy Frank's Bad Ash BBQ Saturday Night Food Vendors: WPPO Get Fired Up The Hangry Hobo Frank O'Dowd's Please note that food vendor menus and offerings are determined by each vendor and may change without notice. Come hungry—you won't leave that way! To drink we have water, soft-drinks, beer, & wine.

All food and beverages at the event are purchased using event tickets. Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased with cash only at the ticket booth. Food and drink vendors will accept tickets instead of cash.

Yes! Great Galena Balloon Race event t-shirts will be available for purchase. Shirts are $25 for adult sizes and $20 for youth sizes, and can be purchased with cash only.

Hot air balloons typically fly only around sunrise and a few hours before sunset because those are the times of day when the winds are usually the lightest and most stable. As the sun heats the ground during the day, winds become stronger and more unpredictable, creating conditions that are not safe for ballooning. Ballooning is a fair-weather activity, and safety is always our top priority. That's why you'll only see launches scheduled in the early morning and evening when conditions are most favorable for flight. 🎈