While Thunder Over Louisville is the official kickoff to the Kentucky Derby Festival, the main thrust to the festival starts on the Friday before the Kentucky Oaks with the L&N Federal Credit Union Great Balloon Fest. For 2023, this is a three-event mini-festival dedicated to racing Hot Air Balloons. Friday morning, the pilots take to the sky in the Rush Hour Race, then later that day, it’s time to unfurl the balloons once again to put on a visual spectacle, the Great Balloon Glow.
The balloon glow used to take place at the Kentucky Exposition Center, but recently it has moved to the Great Lawn by Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville. Dozens of colorful hot air balloons filled their canopies at sunset and in the darkening dusk skies, they lit their burners bringing the light show to life.
Waterfront Park is also home to Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, a location for fair food, concerts, carnival rides, and other events throughout the week. On this day, before the main event, was a professional wrestling event: Ohio Valley Wrestling’s “Run for the Ropes”.
As the sun started to set, the balloon crews showed up and started laying out their balloons. Fans started blowing air and these giants came to life. Eventually, the burners lit to bring the balloons off the ground to their majestic spot in the sky. Balloon fans walked among the balloons, engaging with the crews to talk about flying in freedom.
The pilots would light their burners to keep the balloon upright, but the joy is watching the canopy illuminate the waterfront in a random glittering light show. But that was just the beginning. Several times through the event, there would be the “All Glow” where they all light up at the same time in an impressive show.
