NextStop Blog

This is the weekend many Bi-State area residents look forward to every year– the weekend of The Great Forest Park Balloon Race.

The Balloon Glow is scheduled for tomorrow night (Sept. 20) on the east side of Forest Park at Central Field and the Balloon Race will take place there on Saturday.  The Balloon Glow is a walk through event only — you are not allowed to drive in that area of Forest Park.

On Saturday (Sept. 21), you can avoid the traffic jams in Forest Park by taking MetroLink to the Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Station and catching the #3 Forest Park Trolley to the Balloon Race or other park attractions. The #3 Forest Park Trolley will rerouted in the park starting at 1 p.m. Friday (Sept. 20) and all day Saturday. During to the reroute, the #3 Forest Park Trolley will not be able to serve the St. Louis Science Center, Steinberg Skating Rink, or the Upper Muny Park-Ride lot. You may also consider taking MetroLink to the Central West End Station and walking west to Central Field (three-quarters of a mile) and then walking back to the CWE Station after the Ballon Glow and Race.

Regular Trolley fares or Metro fares apply from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. From 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday, Metro will operate special shuttle service in the park for the Balloon Race and visitors will be shuttled between the Balloon Race drop off and pick up location on Government Drive at Pagoda Circle to and Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Station. No fares will be collected on the special balloon race shuttles after 5 p.m. Special Shuttle Map and Schedule

Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, the #90 Hampton MetroBus WILL NOT enter Forest Park due to the Balloon Glow. On Saturday (Sept. 21), the #90 Hampton will not operate in Forest Park between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. due to the Balloon Race.

Have fun, be safe and hope you take lots of great pictures!