A Local’s Guide to the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival in the Foothills
- Sep 8
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 24
By Charlee Witschi
When the first morning light spills across High River and the burners roar to life, there’s a magic that never fades—even after four years of photographing the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival (HIIBF).
As a local and volunteer photographer for the past 4 years, this festival has become a touchstone in my calendar. I’ve watched balloons lift gracefully into the sky on crisp September mornings, felt the excitement ripple through crowds at the balloon glow, and witnessed how this event continues to delight our community and beyond.
The Festival
The festival runs five days—Wednesday, September 24 through Sunday, September 28—right here in High River, Alberta. Pilots come in from all over the world, and it’s such a sight to see the sky fill with colour.
Each day has both a morning and an evening flight (with the exception of the Balloon Glow Evening), but whether balloons actually go up depends on a few factors.
It’s a fair-weather sport, and safety is always number one.
That means plans can change quickly—so if you’re making the drive down from Calgary, keep an eye on the festival’s social media for updates.
Before every flight, pilots gather for a briefing at the Heritage Inn Balloon Central. That’s where the decision is made: flights can be marked GO, STAND-BY, or CANCELLED. Sometimes conditions shift at the very last minute! If things look variable, launches may be put on stand-by until conditions improve.
The best way to stay up to date is to follow the festival’s social media—that’s where you’ll find the official word on whether balloons are flying.
Spectator Tips
Check the Weather & Social Media. Always confirm if flights are a go before you head out.
Arrive early. Plan to be at the launch site about 15–30 minutes before the scheduled Fiesta Flight.
Parking: Street parking is available in nearby residential areas. There’s also a designated accessible parking section on the west end of Macleod Trail SW. Since crowd sizes vary, you may have to park further out depending on how busy it is.
Viewing: While spectators can’t access the launch field itself, watching from outside the perimeter still puts you up close. The south and east sides are field-level, while the north and west sides are slightly elevated along the berm path. Both offer fantastic views.
Wear Layers. Mornings can be chilly, afternoons warm, dress for both!
Leave pets at home. The burners, crowds, and excitement can be overwhelming for animals.
Bring your camera. Trust me, there will be so many moments you’ll want to capture.
One of the things I love most about this festival is that it’s completely free to attend. No tickets, no wristbands—just show up, find a good spot, and take it all in. The only exception is for passenger balloon rides, which are offered through Kiss the Sky Balloons.
The Glow
One of my favorite parts of the whole week is the Balloon Glow. On glow night, there isn’t an evening flight. Instead, everyone gathers at the Wallaceville Glow site on the north side of town.
If the weather is calm, balloons are tethered and lit up so they glow like lanterns against the night sky. If it’s breezy, you’ll see what’s called a candlestick—just the burners and baskets lighting up the dark. Either way, it’s sensational. The whole town turns out, food trucks roll in, and the atmosphere is electric.
As a photographer, I’m zigzagging between crowds and baskets, trying to capture that perfect shot: fire lighting up a balloon from the inside, kids staring in awe, or the reflection of a glow in someone’s glasses. Pure magic.
Tips for the Glow
Listen to the volunteers. It gets crowded and dark, so follow directions to keep everyone safe.
Bring something that glows. Glow sticks, headlamps, or light-up bracelets make it easy to spot your friends and family in the crowd.
Set meet-up points. Especially if you’ve got kids, pick a place to reconnect if you get separated.
When balloons are ready to come down, we clear the field quickly. Crews need space to safely deflate and pack up, so be swift, respectful, and follow instructions.
Want to Get Involved?
Lucky for you, there’s tons of way to get up close and personal with the balloons!
Volunteering
The Heritage Inn Balloon Festival wouldn’t be possible without the countless hours of dedication from our volunteers. Every year, people from across the community (and beyond!) step up to help make the festival run smoothly, and we’d love for you to join the team.
If you’re interested, visit the HIIBF website’s volunteer page. Most roles don’t require any experience—you don’t have to commit to every single day either. If you want to get up close and personal with the balloons, this is hands down the best way to do it.
Sponsorship
And if you’re a business looking for a way to give back while also giving your team an unforgettable experience—sponsorship is the way to go. The HIIBF could not happen without the support of High River, our surrounding communities, and our incredible sponsors.
I’ve seen firsthand how corporate sponsors not only help make the festival possible, they get to be part of it. Sponsorship often means your team members can actually go up in the sky, and let me tell you, nothing brings people together quite like crewing or flying in a hot air balloon.
Final Remarks
Let me tell you, it never gets old volunteering at the festival. Every year I see kids pointing at the sky, grandparents bundled up in blankets, and crews laughing together while they wrestle fabric bigger than houses.
Four years in, my memory cards are full, but I still get goosebumps every time a balloon lifts off the ground. That’s why I keep coming back.
So if you’ve been wondering whether to come, here’s your sign: just do it. No RSVP needed, its 100% free. Check social media for flight updates, grab a jacket, and come experience it.
And if you spot someone sprinting across the field with a camera, weaving between balloons—that’s probably me. I’ll be there again this year, chasing the light, the colours, and the joy that keeps us all looking up.
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