Freedom Festival: Balloon Glow CANCELED Due to Weather

For years, the summer sky above Cedar Rapids has been a canvas of brilliance, shining with the mesmerizing spectacle of the annual Balloon Glow. My wife and I were eagerly awaiting it since we learned about it soon after I started in May. Hot air balloons illuminating the night sky, uh, yes, please. I’ve seen pictures and they looked like the balloons were casting a magical spell over Cedar Rapids.  

However, this year, there's an unexpected void in the festivities. The Freedom Festival organizers have made the difficult decision to cancel the Balloon Glow due to circumstances we’re all too familiar with, weather. Instead of the usual hum of excitement and the gentle whoosh of hot air filling balloons, there will be a palpable absence. 

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Yet, amidst this disappointment, there is still much to celebrate.  Here's what our friends at the Freedom Festival had to say: 

"We are sorry to say that, out of an abundance of caution, due to the possibility of strong to severe storms on Saturday, we need to cancel our Balloon Glow event for 2024.  Your safety is our top priority, and we want to make sure everyone stays safe.  We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause and appreciate your understanding.  This event will not be rescheduled in 2024.

You can still get your Freedom Festival buttons