FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 3, 2024

Morgantown Municipal Airport Welcomes Back Balloons over Morgantown

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW) will be welcoming back the annual Balloons over Morgantown event hosted by Mercedes-Benz of Morgantown from October 3-6th.

"We're so excited to welcome the balloons back to Morgantown! Our pilots love to fly here and enjoy the challenge of the hills and valleys.  Our core group of organizers have been involved with this event for so long it's become our fall tradition, and we can't wait," said Balloons over Morgantown Communications Manager, Sarah Claydon.

"It means a lot to us to be able to bring this experience to the community and we appreciate our volunteers as well as the Morgantown Mall and the Morgantown Municipal Airport for helping us to make this event happen every year!  Hopefully the weather cooperates and we'll have a beautiful weekend of balloons for everyone to enjoy," added Claydon.

The event will kick off with the Night Glow event, which will occur on Thursday, October 3rd beginning at 7:00 PM at the Morgantown Mall. The community is invited to come out and view the balloons up close, free of cost. The location for this event will be centered around the WVU Medicine building, formerly Sears. Attendees will need to park and walk over to the event area due to the safety of attendees while inflating the balloons. Food options are available for purchase in the food court of the mall. The end time for this event is subject to weather and wind conditions. It is also advised to arrive early for this event as it is a highly anticipated event each year and tends to attract a large crowd. 

For the launches occurring October 4th-6th at the Morgantown Municipal Airport, the schedule is as follows:

Friday, October 4th and Saturday, October 5th: There will be a morning launch at 8:00 AM as well as an afternoon launch at 4:00 PM

Sunday, October 6th:There will only be a morning launch at 8:00 AM

Please note that all of the balloon launch and event times are estimates. The actual launch time will be based on weather and wind conditions and set up capabilities. 

Balloons have been launching from the airport yearly since 1983, but the current formatting of the event has been in existence since 2015. This year will feature around 21 balloons of various sizes.

Although non-crew members are not permitted inside of the fence line, those wishing to watch at the balloons take flight will be able to do so from right outside the gates, as all of the launches occur from the main runway of the airport. Parking at the airport is free of charge. At this time, rides are not available for purchase for the general public. 

Once a balloon has taken flight, viewers are welcome to chase the balloons to their landing destinations, which vary by balloon and are not predetermined, and assist with the breakdown of the balloon. For those who do decide to chase the balloons to their landing destinations, please give priority to the balloon crew vehicles, as they are crucial to the packing up process. 

"This is a wonderful yearly event showcasing a very different aspect of aviation that most communities do not experience," said Jonathon Vrabel, Director of the Morgantown Municipal Airport. "We are delighted to host the launches of the balloon flights from the Morgantown Municipal Airport yearly. I welcome the community of Morgantown to stop by and watch at the balloons begin their journey over our community with all of the beautiful fall colors on display.”

For more information, or in case of questionable weather, contact the organizers via email at Info@ummbf.com.

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