The Glow

It’s tough to describe, let alone photograph. In Forest Park, there’s an annual balloon race. On the eve of the event, is "The Glow" where all the hot air balloons are set up in a field, inflated, and then, with the signal, light up simultaneously. It’s quite a display. The balloons are huge, (as is the crowd). Nearly all 70 of the gigantic upside-down teardrops were touching. The balloons vary in size and shape from the iconic Re-Max hot air balloon, to a Pepsi can, to an Energizer Bunny as tall as a 16-story building. For this year’s race, entitled, The Horses and the Hare, the "Hare" (aka: giant Energizer bunny) takes off, and the other balloons “chase” him to the finish line.

From the 2008 photo contest, FIRST PLACE -- Adult

Nathan Wambold, Mascoutah, IL

Preparing to inflate at twilight

Watching the Bass Pro Shops balloon inflate. Fascinating.

Getting darker...some are starting to glow

When it gets dark, an air-horn blows every 10-15 minutes, and all the balloon pilots turn their flames on for about 5 seconds. This went on for a couple of hours.

For more details, and better images, visit The Great Forest Park Balloon Race.

We opted out of Saturday's Ballon Race, because we went to the air show at Scott AFB in Illinois. Tim pointed out some emotive formation flights including, The Freedom Formation, The Missing Man Formation. There was an Aerobatic show, and some military static displays (vintage aircraft, to laypeople like Faith). So enamored with the displays, we didn't take any (good) photos of our own to share with you. We both left this show feeling patriotic and awe-struck.