Fall means fun in High River, most notably with the annual Heritage Inn Balloon Festival.
The event is an amazing showcase of hot air balloons, with several taking to the skies at once. The balloon flights take place at different time slots and come alongside other family-friendly events around town to create 5 Days of Fall.
Beyond the beautiful hot air balloon races, you and your family can wander around the nearby Gorge Lane Memorial Park, the town’s centre and the shops or food, and of course behind the hot air balloons. And as you walk or bike, you can take in live music, stop for a dance, or pick from several food vendors for a picnic.
Here are some of the activities to do this weekend in High River:
Catch a Fiesta Flight
Watch the sun rise over High River with the Fiesta Flights that take to the skies as early as 7:30am. Spectators can then follow a “chase car” which follows the balloons from the launch site: this allows everyone to safely follow the balloons as a large group through High River. It is an awe-inspiring sight!
When: each day of the festival 7:30am and 5:15pm
Where: MacLeod Trail, High River
How much: free
Watch the Glowing Balloons
Enjoy a special evening show at the Heritage Inn Balloon Festival. This hot air balloon ‘show’ happens when the sun sets and pilots coordinate the firing up of the balloon, illuminating the tethered balloons all at once.
When: September 23, 2022
Where: The Wallaceville site
How much: free
Stop by the Art & Soul Gallery
September 25th is Pie Sunday at the Gallery! Taste fresh local desserts and get one to go if you need. The Gallery is also a great place to peruse High River’s local art scene. They often provide a wide variety of flavours and options, and might have live music on as part of their Alberta Culture Days events.
When: September 25th, 2022
Where: 120 – 6th Avenue S.W., High River
How much: free
Marvel at the Cars
The festival will host the River City Classics Show and Shine, and the Burnout competition. Take a walk through the huge gallery of classic cars and vehicles, all spruced up and ready to be shown off in High River. Plenty of other activities will be onsite including live entertainment and food trucks. The event borders George Lane Memorial Park and is beside where the balloons launch.
When: September 25
Where: George Lane Memorial Park
How much: free
Catch a Drive-in Movie
You can still visit drive-in movie theatres in Alberta, with Sunset Drive-in offering September movies in High River. Get cozy in your car for a movie on either the Friday or Saturday of the 5 Days of Fall Festival. Each night features a kids’ movie than a more mature film.
When: September 24 & 25
Where: Sunset Drive-in, High River Rodeo Grounds
How much: $40 per car
Details
Planning your trip:
What: A town-wide celebration of Fall.
For five days, the town of High River will host several events centred around the Heritage Inn Balloon Festival. The annual tradition sees dozens of hot air balloons take to the skies above High River for a week. Throughout the 5Days of Fall in High River are several smaller events like live entertainment, food vendors, places to shop, and art on display.
When: September 21-25, 2022
Where: High River