The Festival of Ballo0ns rises into the Tigard air every summer

(JUNE 10, 2022) Oregon has many festivals in the summer. One popular festival is the Festival of Balloons in Tigard June 24-26 at Cook Park. But these aren't little birthday balloons. This festival has big hot-air balloons!

Balloons will launch each morning 5:45am to 6:15am. Visitors should come early to watch teams assemble and inflate the hot-air balloons. Depending on the weather, most balloons launch (take off and rise up) by 6:30am. They typically fly south toward Tualatin and do not return to the park.

During the day, there will be some balloons that are tethered (tied) to the ground. Visitors can have free rides up and down in these balloons as long as fuel lasts (about two hours). Rides are first come, first served, and all riders must sign a waiver.

Friday and Saturday nights end with Night Glow at sunset. During this time, some balloons will return to the park, be laid out on the ground, inflated, and their burners ignited, lighting up the dark night.

All balloon activities depend on the weather, of course.

The festival includes craft and vendor booths as well as local food and drink. There will be carnival rides, live music, and a car display. Home Depot will have an activities area for kids.

A 3 day-weekend pass is available online for $12. For tickets and more information, visit www.tigardballoon.org.

The Tigard Festival of Balloons began in 1984 as part of the Portland Rose Festival. It was originally called the Portland Hot Air Balloon Classic. Before the Festival was held at Cook Park, the Hot Air Balloon Classic was held at Delta Park in Portland and Greenway Park in Beaverton. As the Rose Festival attempted to expand its festivities into Washington County it struggled financially. In 2003, the Festival was cancelled after event organizers said there weren’t enough funds to produce the event. Organizers cited a poor economy and lack of title sponsor as contributing factors. The Festival returned in 2004 when current owner Dave Nicoli took over operations. Nicoli, brother of former Tigard Mayor Jim Nicoli, formally owned D.P. Nicoli, a shoring rental and steel piling company.