Night Glow
Night Glow is held on Thursday night at Mylan Park. The gates open at 4pm and the balloons will
begin inflating around sunset. During Night Glow, the balloons only tether, instead of launching, lighting up
the sky with their burners. Tethered rides are available for visitors during Night Glow and the carnival is open.


Hot Air Balloon Launches
There will be 6 balloon launches during this year's festival, two each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
. All morning launches will take off from the Morgantown Municipal Airport around 7:30am. Spectators aren't
allowed onto the runway, but the balloons can be veiwed from the perimeter fences. The afternoon launches
will all be held at Mylan park and will start aroun 4:30pm every day.

About the Hot Air Balloon Races
Five of the festival's races are hare and hound races. How this race works is a single
balloon, the hare, will inflate and take off. Once he has taken off, all of the other
balloons are allowed to start inflating and then to take off. The hare will travel for
awhile and then land. Wherever he lands, he places a large red X on the ground. The
hound balloons have to try and get as close to the X as they can. The pilots all have
labeled bean bags that they try to throw at the X. The beanbag that lands closest
to the center of the X, will award the pilot that threw it the most points. Pilots are
awarded prizes at each race and at the end of the weekend, points are
added up and the weekend's Grand Champion is decided.



Tethered Rides

Tethered rides will be available on Thursday night at no cost and
Friday 12:30-4:30, Saturday 12:30-3:30 and Sunday 12:30-4:00 for $5 a person.
Tethered rides are first come, first served and no advanced tickets will be sold.
Also, while we hope for good weather, if it's rainy on any of
these days, the balloons will not be able to inflate.

Ride Coupons

If you're interested in riding in a hot air balloon, ride coupons can be purchased for any of
the 6 races being held over the weekend. Coupons are $200 per person and can be purchased
at the festival or by calling:

Tara or Molly
at University Motors
304-296-4401

As with tethered rides, the balloon races are weather dependent. If there is bad weather and
the balloons are unable to fly, you will be reimbursed for your ride coupon. If weather seems
good though, we suggest you arrive early before the race you are schedule to fly in. It is required
for passengers to attend the pilot briefing, normally 30 minutes before the start
of each race. Passengers will need to participate in a short safety briefing before flying.
The safety procedures will be explained to you by your pilot at the briefing. For any additional questions about
your ride, please contact the above or visit the information tent at the festival grounds.