FAIRGROUNDS / LAUNCH SITE RULES

• No smoking or vaping near the booth, near the launch site, or on the launch site (propane is in use).

• No alcohol, controlled substances, or illegal substances.

• No drones.

• Closed-toed shoes must be worn on the launch site.

• Only certified service dogs travelling with pilots are allowed on the launch site.

• Dogs are permitted on the fairgrounds but must be leashed at all times; however, many people attend festival events, and hot air balloons make noises that may startle dogs, so it is best to leave them at home. If you choose to bring your leashed dog to the fairgrounds, please clean up after them.

All hot air balloon flight passengers:

• Must be able to climb over the side of the basket (about 3 feet high) and be at least 4 feet tall. (8 years old is the general guide, but most importantly, passengers must be able to see over the sides of the basket, be mature enough to follow the pilot’s directions, and be physically able to fly. Pilots have the final say as to who can or cannot fly. If someone cannot fly, they may wish to ask about a tethered ride instead.)
• Must not weigh more than 320 pounds.
• Must not be pregnant (confirmed or suspected), use oxygen, have had neck, back, or joint-replacement surgery recently, have back or neck injuries, or have a heart condition.
• Must inform the pilot of any allergies, and bring medications (e.g., EpiPen, insulin) that may be needed.
• Must not be under the influence of any substances (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, other drugs).
• Must be able to stand unassisted for at least 90 minutes. Assistive devices are not permitted inside the basket.
• Must be able to independently navigate uneven/rough terrain (e.g., fields, hills, embankments) and should be prepared for sudden stops and possibly hard landings.
• Must not wear hanging jewelry, loose clothing, or clothing made of heat-sensitive materials (e.g., nylon). May wish to wear layers, long pants, hat, and sunglasses.
• Must wear appropriate footwear (e.g., closed-toe, flat, okay to get wet).
• Must have long hair secured before getting in the basket.
• May wish to bring a camera (a strap is recommended), but should leave everything else at home, in their vehicle, or in the chase vehicle. (Pilots and festival organizers are not liable for loss of, damage to, or theft of any personal items.)
• Should read the guideline from Transport Canada before the flight: ENGLISH  FRENCH.
• Must arrive at the fairgrounds booth at least 30 minutes before the scheduled flight (i.e., 6:00 a.m. for 6:30 a.m. flight and 5:00 p.m. for 5:30 p.m. flight).

Please note:

• Flights are $250/person (cash only; no ATM on site) at the fairgrounds booth the day of the flight.
• We cannot guarantee that passengers in the same party can fly together; however, we will do our best to accommodate requests.

• Flights depend on weather. We do our best to accommodate passengers if a flight must be rescheduled, but cannot guarantee being able to do so, in which case money will be refunded.

• The adventure starts as soon as you arrive at the launch site until the chase vehicle returns you to the fairgrounds. Time spent in the air varies depending on weather conditions. Plan to be adventuring about 3 hours from start to finish.
• Go to the washroom before you make your way to the launch field with your pilot. Washrooms are available on site.

 All spectators:

• Must yield to official festival vehicles (chase, committee). They must be able to get where they need to be as quickly as possible to ensure we can launch and retrieve balloons.
• Must follow the rules of the road if you wish to chase balloons. (It is always best to pull over safely to watch balloons.)

Must not go on private property, fields, or the launch site(s).

Questions?

Still have a question? Please visit River Bend Festivals on Facebook, e-mail riverbendballoonfest@gmail.com, or call (506) 278-52