Hot air balloon watching at the Festival of Balloons in Tigard June 19-20

June 15, 5:53 AMPortland Walking ExaminerWendy Bumgardner

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The AllState Festival of Balloons in Tigard, Oregon June 19-21 is a great walking destination.

Get up early for a stroll to view the balloon launches, 5:45 AM - 6:15 AM weather permitting.  The balloons are aloft for about an hour over southern Tigard and Tualatin.  You can view that for free if your walking route takes you along the Tualatin River, except for areas of Cook Park that are gated for the event.

The evening Night Glow occurs at dusk, approximately 9 pm.  Througout the day you can enjoy a carnival fun center, Rogue beer garden, music and pancake breakfast.  An entry pass for all three days into the festival area is $5 purchased online or $7 at the gate.

Two volkssport year-round walks hosted by the Sherwood Merrywalkers will take you on great 6-mile walks where you can enjoy the balloon launch, with one taking you to the festival area.  You will need to pick up the maps at least a day beforehand as they are located at businesses that don't open until after launch time.

The Three Cities - Three Parks Walk starts at the EI at Bridgeport Village, 7410 SW Bridgeport Rd., Tigard, OR, 97224.  REI doesn't open until 10 am, so if you want to enjoy the balloon launch, pick up the map ahead of time. Ask at the customer service desk for the start box for the volkssport walk. It's a great walk along the Tualatin River, through Durham Park, Cook Park and over the new pedestrian bridge to Tualatin Community Park.  It is possible that the path through Cook Park may be blocked by the festival organizers asking for admission, so this route is best done if you purchase admission or are prepared to turn around when encountering an admission gate.

The Hedges Creek Wetlands Walk starts at Fred Meyer, 19200 SW Martinazzi, Tualatin, OR 97062.  The start box is located just past the grocery entrace, in the pharmacy waiting area. The photos in the slideshow were taken from a vantage point along this walk.  It's a pleasant walk past the Tualatin Country Club, Hedges Creek Wetlands (on paved paths) and neighborhoods.  This route doesn't visit the festival site and should not have any areas closed to walker access.

View Tigard Balloon Festival in a larger map