A long standing tradition in the Kentucky Derby Festival is the Great Balloon Race, held the Saturday before the Kentucky Derby.  Hot air balloons from around the country gather to race.   But a precursor to the race is the Balloon Glow, held the night before.

It’s a practice run for tomorrow’s launch and a great visual experience for everyone.  As dusk sets in, the balloons inflate with their fires illuminating them.  Thousands gathered at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center Friday night to view this tradition as well.

Each balloon and it’s crew are announced to the audience in between musical interludes and several planned times when all balloons are lit at the same time.

A new feature since the last visit was the addition of the Balloon Twinkle where the balloons light up quickly several times giving the illusion of twinkling lights.

High winds earlier in the day caused some concern, but by the time of the event, they had died down fora great balloon glow.

Click here to see more photos from the event.