Great Forest Park Balloon Race

You'd better get up early if you want to get a good spot at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, because seemingly everyone in the metro area attends. Alright, it's actually only 150,000 people, but they're all camped out on Forest Park's (www.greatforestparkballoonrace.com) Central Field well before noon. This year's race features more than 70 balloons and pilots, who start their engines (gas burners?) at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, September 21. In the time leading up to that magic moment you can picnic in the park, or avail yourself of one of several food trucks that will be parked nearby. The children's area opens at noon, with inflatables, games and Purina Pro Plan Performance Team's very agile dogs. Admission is free.