See over 100 hot air balloons for FREE!
Every summer, the National Balloon Classic in Indianola, Iowa features over 100 hot air balloons during its 9-day festival. If you’ve heard of this event before, you are probably aware of the night glow or the mass ascension evening events, as they are the most popular events. While the evening events are great, don’t forget about the morning competition flights – as they feature the highest number of balloons and are free!
Location: Memorial Balloon Field, 1136 150th Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125
Website: https://nationalballoonclassic.com/schedule/
Cost for morning sessions: FREE
4 reasons why the morning sessions are the best at the National Balloon Classic
1. It’s FREE.
Yes, completely free, there are no parking costs and no admission. All other events take place during the evening hours and have admission costs.
2. Highest number of available balloons.
The morning and evening competition flights always have the highest number of hot air balloons flying. The competition flights are the main reason pilots attend the Classic. They are competing to see which pilot navigates the challenges and tasks that are presented – and pilots general do not skip the morning flights. However, during evening events like the night glows – pilots are not always required to attend. In a nite glow, you might see 40, perhaps as many as 50 balloons. But in the morning competition, you will generally see the most balloons, typically over 100 in flight.
3. Best chance of the event happening
The morning air is generally cooler and calm – meaning that the morning flights have a higher percentage of happening. It’s still important to note that every flight during the Classic is weather-dependent, but typically, the morning flights have the best chance of taking off.
4. Less people, less traffic
The evening events have the largest crowds and therefore the most traffic. The morning events are very relaxed. Typically, you will drive right into the parking lot and get to pick what section of the lot you want. If you want to walk in the viewing area, you can, but many folks stay at their vehicle. In fact, many of them drop the tail gait on their truck or pull out lawn chairs right next to their vehicle, and watch the 100+ balloons float overhead as they eat breakfast.
Any advice on exactly when to arrive?
We recommend showing up to the balloon field by 6:45am. As for when the balloons will fly over the field – that will vary each morning as it depends on the tasks/challenges that the pilots are given, as well as the weather. However, typically, you’ll see them fly over the field as soon as 7am or as late at 7:30am.
What does the full morning timeline look like?
5:30am to 6:00am: Balloon pilots generally arrive at the field during this time.
6:00am to 6:20 or 6:30am: Balloon Pilot Meeting, which is held in the largest building on the field. During this time pilots are given a weather briefing and given the tasks/challenges for the morning. Most of the time they are given multiple tasks – however, one of the tasks will ALWAYS involve the balloon field, so they will be flying over the field at some point in their morning flight. NOTE: The decision to fly or not fly is made at the 6am pilot meeting – so there is no way to know if the flight is cancelled prior to this time. As soon as a decision is made, they will post it on their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Nationalballoonclassic
6:30am: As soon as the pilot meeting is over, pilots will head to their vehicles and drive away from the balloon field. Don’t worry – they are leaving the area to select a place to liftoff and will head back towards the field as part of their flight.
6:45am: This is our recommended arrival time, as the pilots can be back as soon as 7am or as late at 7:30am
Typically by 7:45am, the majority of the balloons have flown over the balloon field and on to another task/target.
Do the balloons ever land at the balloon field during morning flights?
Technically, it could happen – however, it’s rare. Most morning challenges involve multiple targets and the balloon field is only one of their targets.
What should we bring?
For the morning flights, I would recommend bringing:
- Lawn chairs
- Breakfast items, coffee, donuts. Something to snack on while you wait for the balloons to come in.
Are the morning events weather-dependent?
Yes, all balloon flights are weather dependent – and the decision to fly or not fly is made at the 6am pilot meeting.
How can we estimate/guess if the event will happen or not?
Here is the best way to estimate if the event will happen.
- Find a weather app that tells you the local wind speed for each hour of the day for Indianola, Iowa. For example, 13 Now from Channel 13 in Des Moines works well.
- Before you go to bed, check the local forecast for Indianola, Iowa.
- If the forecast has rain for 6am the next morning, that will cancel the flight for sure
- Also, if the winds are over 10mph, that will also cancel the flight.
- Even though you checked the weather before going to bed, I would also suggest checking again once you wake up in the morning. Again, if there’s no rain and if the winds are showing less than 10 mph, then there is a good chance that the flight will take place.
- NOTE: There are more factors beyond rain and wind speed that may cancel a flight – but generally speaking, these are the two most common factors that you can watch for and use to make an educated guess as to whether to drive to Indianola for the morning flight.
