In the early days of the Kentucky Derby Festival, there was just the Great Balloon Race. Then it expanded to add the Great Balloon Glow. Today, we have the Great Balloon Fest, a three-day hot-air balloon event consisting of three morning “races” and two evening light shows. Thursday morning starts with the Great Balloon Charity Race from Bowman Field but this year’s liftoff was scrubbed due to weather.

The pilots regrouped at dusk on the Great Lawn to put on a light show known as the Great Balloon Glimmer. The conditions were perfect. Attendees on the lawn got a closeup view of these large colorful hot-air balloons. However, for several viewers the best view was across the Ohio River in Jeffersonville. With the majesty of the Louisville skyline in the background, the twinkling of the balloons glistened across the waters of the Ohio.

Friday morning the pilots will try racing once again with the Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race.