Photo: Wayne Emde Photography

The popular balloon glow has been cancelled for 2019.

The hot air balloons will still be flying, but the popular balloon glow has been cancelled.

Vickie Proulx, Vernon Winter Carnival executive director, said officials with the North Okanagan Hot Air Balloon Society were forced to cancel the glow this year for a variety of reasons.

“This decision was not arrived on lightly, but could not be prevented,” said Proulx.

Some factors for the cancelation include lack of resources, both monetary and manpower.

The additional requirements and costs for use of Polson Park has been problematic due to soft ground in the past and a general lack of parking.

A new location was planned for 2019, but City of Vernon Parks Department requirements were too expensive for the glow in the new location.

“We’re very disappointed to hear this event has been cancelled, but we are still looking forward to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta and seeing the balloons in the sky over Vernon during the first weekend of Vernon Winter Carnival,” sad Proulx, Executive Director at Vernon Winter Carnival.

This year marks the 28th Annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta – organized by the North Okanagan Hot Air Balloon Society.

The Balloons will take to the sky Feb 1-3, but where and when they fly is completely weather dependent.

Follow the North Okanagan Hot Air Balloon Society on Facebook for updates on flight times.