NextStop Blog

The annual Great Forest Park Balloon Race and Balloon Glow takes place on Art Hill in Forest Park this weekend, and Metro makes it easy to enjoy all of the fun. If you’re making plans to go, avoid the heavy traffic, parking hassles and road closures. Park at any one of 21 free Metro Park-Ride lots in Missouri and Illinois and take MetroLink or MetroBus to get to the festivities.

Balloon Glow – Friday, September 14

Metro will operate additional MetroLink trains as needed during the evening on Friday, September 14, to accommodate the large crowds anticipated for this year’s Balloon Glow on Art Hill in Forest Park. The Balloon Glow is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

You can ride MetroLink to the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center or the Skinker MetroLink Station to get to the Balloon Glow. Both stations are about a half-mile from Art Hill.

MetroBus is also a great option. The #1 Gold and #90 Hampton MetroBus routes serve the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center, and the #1 Gold, #2 Red, #16 City Limits and the Green Line serve the Skinker MetroLink Station. The #90 Hampton will be on reroute during the Balloon Glow and the Balloon Race, and will not serve destinations within Forest Park.

Great Forest Park Balloon Race – Saturday, September 15

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race begins at noon on Saturday, September 15, at Art Hill in Forest Park. Ride MetroLink or MetroBus to the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center or Skinker MetroLink Station and walk to the race grounds on Art Hill.

Please note that Metro will not be operating special bus shuttle service to or from the Balloon Glow or Balloon Race events.

To plan your trip to the annual Great Forest Park Balloon Race or Balloon Glow, download the Metro On The Go App to your mobile device, use the Trip Planner on metrostlouis.org or contact Metro Transit Information by calling 314-231-2345 or 618-271-2345 or texting 314-207-9786 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.