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, launch are completed by 6:30am. Typically balloons fly south toward Tualatin and they do not return to Cook Family 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
Balloon Tethers: 6:00am-7:00am - 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. Tether rides are FREE with paid admission.
Riders must be at least 3 years old and able to stand on their own for safety reasons. Tether rides typically rise 30-50 feet in the air.
Registration begins at 6:00am. Our balloon tether team is located at a table inside the main event field entrance. Long lines form quickly. 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, and get to the main event field.
Get in line to sign a waiver for each rider. Any rider under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign their waiver. Do not get in line with a specific balloon. Tickets will be handed out to those in line up to the number of rides we anticipate being given based on weather and propane conditions. This ticket does not guarantee a ride. All riders must have a ticket to sign a waiver and get a ride stamp. After signing the waiver, you will be directed to a balloon for your tether ride.
NO RESERVATIONS. RIDES ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.
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 Family 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.
TICKETS
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. 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.