City: Louisville, KY

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: The weekend before the Kentucky Derby, U.S. Bank puts on five great balloon-related events that take place in the Kentucky Exposition Center and other locations throughout the city. Tens of thousands of spectators turn out as more than 50 hot-air balloons of all shapes, sizes, and colors congregate at dusk or float soundlessly above the city in various races. The “rush-hour” races early on Friday and Saturday morning provide a spectacular sight to passing interstate traffic as some 50 “hound” balloons take off from the Kentucky Exposition Center in chase of the “hare,” who flies for about 30 minutes before crossing the Ohio River and landing in southern Indiana. The first competitors to drop their bag of Kentucky bluegrass seed within 200 feet of the target, a giant vinyl “X,” take home the trophy. The Balloon Glow the night before the races provides enthusiasts the chance to chat up their favorite pilots as they fire up the burners on the stationary balloons and illuminate the night sky with radiant color. For details about all of the balloon events, check out the links on the Web site for the Kentucky Derby Festival at www.kdf.org.