The history of the festival

In late 2018, The Bogalusa Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission was tasked with creating and hosting events for the city of Bogalusa,  and they voted to host the city’s first ever Hot Air Balloon Festival. The inaugural event was to take place in May of 2020. 

Fundraising began and the commission hired their Balloon Meister, Larry Torgerson. Larry’s job was to gather the pilots who would become our first ten Bogalusa Balloon Festival Pilots, as well as educate the commission on what is needed to pull off a successful Hot Air Balloon Festival. He is a recipient of the Master Pilot Award given to pilots with over 40 years of safe flying and is very rare.   

As you know, that was not to be, as the Coronavirus pandemic began in March of that year. Initially, the date was pushed back to June, but it was quickly realized that the event would not occur. The commission had high hopes that they would host the festival in 2021, but the Global Pandemic had other plans. 

Planning and fundraising resumed in late 2021 and the very first Bogalusa Balloon Festival took place May 20-22, 2022. Ten Pilots and balloons from across the south participated. The weather was not on their side, but the pilots persevered and gave the crowd a show, though it wasn’t the full show they had intended. The festival was deemed a success and soon after it was announced that there would be a festival again in 2023. 

The date was set for June 2-4, 2023.

It was determined that the official festival colors would be Pink, Teal and Purple. 

Pink symbolizes fun & family playfulness. 

Teal symbolizes strength and growth of our festival

Purple symbolizes the hard work of the many volunteers who bring our festival to fruition. 

A new official logo was created. 

In September of 2022, in an effort to grow the festival, it was established as a 501(c)3 non profit free standing event. 

On November 12, 2022, the festival held its first pageant and crowned a Miss, Teen and Pre-Teen Queen. 

In June of 2023, The Festival moved to the Washington Parish Fairgrounds. Shawn Krause, a Louisiana native, signed on as the festival's second balloon meister.  The beautiful weather and addition of one more balloon and the rodeo helped year two become a smashing success!

September of 2023 brought more change and growth. The festival increased its committee from five members to 17 and an announcement of an official name change was made. The festival officially became the Washington Parish Balloon Festival.