MORNING BAlloon LAUNCHES
Gates open: 5:00am - Come early so you don’t miss the balloons. Anticipate the time it takes to park (Festival parking at THS or in the neighborhood), enter the Festival (buy your ticket online in advance to speed up your admission process) and get to the balloon launch field.
Balloon Ascension: 5:45-6:15am - Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings on the balloon launch field - Weather and pilot permitting. Depending on weather conditions, most balloons launch by 6:30am. Typically balloons fly south toward Tualatin and do not return to Cook Park.
WE DO NOT OFFER BALLOON RIDES (FLIGHTS) DURING THE FESTIVAL.
When will launch status be announced? All pilots meet at approximately 5:15am to review the flight conditions. Unfortunately this doesn’t give a lot of notice to those waiting to hear the flight status before arriving at the Festival. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Did you know that it takes lots of volunteers to supply pre-flight and chase vehicle crews for the numerous balloons launching every morning at the Festival? Click here to find out more.
MORNING Balloon TETHERS
Following the balloon launches each morning, the Festival offers free tethered rides on the main event field. Riders must be at least 3 years old and stand on their own.
Registration Begins: 6:15am - Come early so you don’t miss the balloons. Anticipate the time it takes to park (Festival parking at THS or in the neighborhood), enter the Festival (buy your ticket online in advance to speed up your admission process) and get to the main event field.
Check-in with our balloon tether team at the signup table inside the main field entrance gate to sign a waiver for each rider. Do not get in line with a specific balloon without signing a waiver and getting a ride ticket. After receiving your ticket you will be directed to the boarding area for your tether.
Balloon Tethers: 6:30am-7:30am - Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings on the main event field - Weather and pilot permitting as long as fuel lasts. If weather is ideal (no rain with light and variable winds), fuel can last up to 2 hours.
Arrive early at the main event field (same field as our vendor booths). Long lines form quickly and we cannot guarantee a ride.
NO RESERVATIONS. RIDES ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. ALL RIDERS MUST SIGN A WAIVER.
We appreciate your patience and understanding of the ballooning world. We do our best to give as many rides as possible.
nw natural NIGHT GLOW
Sunset - Friday and Saturday on the balloon launch field - Weather and pilot permitting.
The NW Natural Night Glow is an exciting and spectacular event you’ll never forget! On Friday and Saturday night some of the Festival’s featured hot air balloons return to the launch field, are laid out on the ground, inflated, and their burners ignited, all in the midst of an excited crowd.
Pilots meet at approximately 8:30pm to review weather conditions. Night Glow lasts approximately 30 minutes following sunset.
If winds keep the balloons from inflating, the baskets will “candlestick glow”. Spectators are welcome to get up close and even get a chance to fire the burner (pilot permitting)!
We are excited to welcome back NW Natural to the Tigard Festival of Balloons as the sponsor of the Night Glow. Visit nwnatural.com to discover the affordability, reliability, comforts and conveniences of natural gas at home.
WHERE ARE THE BALLOONS?
Weather and pilot permitting, balloons will only be onsite for morning launches 5:45-6:15am (balloons may be visible in the sky longer depending on wind speed), tether rides (6:30-7:30am or as long as fuel lasts and weather permits) and Night Glow (sunset for approximately 30 minutes). Why are balloons only onsite in the morning and evening? Hot air balloons can only fly in stable air and no rain (including foreseeable rain). During the day, the sun heats the earth, which creates thermals making it unstable for balloons to fly. Where do the balloons fly in the morning? Balloons will follow the direction of the wind and for the Tigard Festival of Balloons that wind needs to be blowing generally south to avoid populated areas to the north. Look for the balloons over Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, Wilsonville, Aurora or Woodburn.
Why can't we predict morning launch status ahead of time? Unless it's raining we cannot 100% predict the weather at the park. When pilots arrive in the morning, a helium balloon will be launched to check for wind direction and speed at different elevations. Pilots will evaluate weather forecasts, but what's happening at Cook Park will determine our flight status since it can be different from a weather station. If you are waiting to see an official flight status before heading down to the park, it will be too late.
Balloon Exhibit by the Willamette Aerostat Society. Meet area pilots and balloon crew and learn about hot air balloons. WAS will be at the Festival with all things hot air balloons! Learn how to become a balloon pilot. Ask all of your burning questions. See a basket and envelope up close. Learn more about the Willamette Aerostat Society and how to get involved. There will be a coloring contest for kids and we will hold a raffle for a balloon flight for later in the summer. We will also sell club t-shirts. All proceeds will be used for scholarships to send future balloon pilots to hot air balloon camps. The Balloon Exhibit will be in our Kids Zone Friday 12pm-7pm and Saturday 11am-7pm.
TICKETS
**NEW for 2023, ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE REQUIRED. A 3 day-weekend pass, unlimited access to the Festival for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is available for purchase online only ~ advance ticket purchase required. 6 and under are free.
What if I forget to buy my entrance ticket and show up at the gate? Don’t stress ~ grab your mobile device (phone) and locate the signage onsite with a QR code/direct link to our ticketing partner (Interactive Ticketing) page. Purchase your tickets with debit or credit card. Once you receive the text (optional ~ we suggest you do this!) or email confirmation with a barcode or personal ticket QR code, bring it to the gate where a volunteer will scan and exchange it for a daily TFOB bracelet. Save the barcode to return each day and exchange for a new daily bracelet.. Buy online today and save time at the gate. We appreciate your patience and support as we transition to digital only entrance tickets for 2023. Parking passes are not sold in advance due to limited availability.
GENERAL ADMISSION: 6 and under are free.| Ages 7+: $15 (+ fees), good for all 3 days
A 3 day-weekend pass is available online ONLY - We do not sell a single day pass
Ticket is good for unlimited access to the Festival for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Admission proceeds benefit our non-profit event volunteers.
Tickets are only sold through the Festival’s website.