Hot Air Balloon Festival in Alberta Shines Light on Mental Wellness
A unique festival in Medicine Hat, Alta., is raising money and awareness for mental health issues.
The Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival will run from May 23 to 26, featuring hot air balloon pilots from across North America. The festival was initiated by Willy and Cindy Taillon in partnership with Our Collective Journey, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the mental health care system in Alberta.
He explained that the collaboration with Our Collective Journey added another layer of meaning to the term “rise up.”
“They are helping people rise up from their struggles or providing them with assistance. ‘Rise Up’ resonates with me in so many ways,” he added.
This year’s event offers attendees the opportunity to ride in a hot air balloon. Tickets are priced at $350 and can be purchased online.
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“I enjoy flying my balloon because it’s peaceful,” Mr. Taillon shared in the video. “It’s a new adventure every flight.”
The festival will include a market in the downtown area on May 25, along with food trucks, face painting, bouncy castles, a movie, a kids’ art party, and a business decorating contest.
Categories for the contest include creativity, theme, overall attractiveness and appeal, with an additional bonus award.
Seven flight times are scheduled throughout the four days, as indicated on the website. Visitors are encouraged to attend the free, family-friendly event to witness the balloons soar in the sky and have the chance to see them up close against a Medicine Hat sunset. Balloon Glow Events will take place in Kin Coulee Park, with the hot air balloons tethered to the ground in the evening using propane burners to keep them inflated. Attendees can interact and get close to the hot air balloons.
All hot air balloon flights are subject to weather conditions, with regular updates provided during the event.
