Despite the late-summer heat, we were delighted to return to the Great Forest Park Balloon Race for the second year in a row, joining tens of thousands of families for one of St. Louis's most cherished community traditions. See the photo gallery below.
PBS KIDS's Arthur was a crowd favorite throughout both days, greeting children and families and helping create memorable moments across the festival grounds.
We were proud to once again share booth space with our valued partners at the St. Louis County Library. Together, we connected families with resources that inspire curiosity and lifelong learning. From its Bookmobile, the library issued 78 new library cards, distributed 3,300 books, and welcomed nearly 3,000 visitors, demonstrating the incredible impact of bringing educational opportunities directly into the community.
The event drew an estimated 90,000 attendees for Friday night's Balloon Glow and another 20,000 guests on Saturday, creating countless opportunities for families to come together, explore, and celebrate.
With the help of our dedicated staff and volunteers, we shared Nine PBS resources, mini rubber ducks, glow sticks, Balloon Glow tote bags, Nine PBS Learning League bracelets, and other giveaways. More importantly, we shared conversations, smiles, and connections with the families who make our community so special.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, said hello, and helped make the weekend unforgettable. We loved celebrating St. Louis with you.
Contributed by Lynanne Feilen, communications manager
