The Great Texas Balloon Race, a Sight to See

Watching a brightly colored hot air balloon float across a beautiful blue and white summer morning sky can be humbling experience. Now imagine around 80 brightly colored balloons of all colors and shapes floating across that same Texas sky. Better yet, how about all of those balloons anchored in one place at nightfall, glowing. By combining the majesty of the hot air balloons with food, concerts, vendors and games you get the Great Texas Balloon Race.

In 1978, a deal was struck between an area dentist, who was also a world record hot air balloon pilot, and mall managers, in which he would fly over Longview with their banner draped over his balloon to advertise the opening of the mall. In exchange for this feat, he would get to create the first Great Texas Balloon Race. In 1980, the first balloon glow was held in the mall parking lot. As attendance grew, the event had to be moved to larger areas until it ended up at the East Texas Regional Airport.

The Key Grab event is one of the most exciting races for the pilots as well as the spectators. When this competition was first introduced, pilots had to navigate their craft towards a 12 inch ring with a key that was on top of a 20 foot pole, in which, the winner received a new car. Today, the pilot steers toward the pole and drops a 12 inch ring around it in exchange for a large sum of cash.

This years' event will kick off on Friday, July 13, 2007 at 6:30a.m, central time, with the Sport and Special Shape Balloon competition where, for this flight only, the balloons will fly over the city of Longview. At 4pm the gates of the East Texas Regional Airport will open where arts, crafts, food and drink vendors will all be standing by to sell their wares. Opening flag ceremonies as well as the balloon glow will begin at 8:15 with concerts following.

Gates open at 5:45 Saturday morning and the excitement begins at 6:30 with the Key Grab competition. You can spend the day visiting special exhibits, arts, crafts, food and drink vendors while the kids enjoy Kid's Land. Admission to Kid's Land is $5 per child and activities include a 15x30 giant slide, Bounce House, Extreme Motion, Joust, Bungee Run, and a climbing wall. Flag ceremonies as well as the balloon glow will begin at 8:15 with the headlining band of the evening performing afterward.

Sunday morning begins with the opening of the gates at 5:45am. 6:30a marks the beginning of the last Key Grab of the weekend with the Pilots Awards ceremonies beginning at 9:30am marking the end of the weekend long celebration.

Admission is $10 for Friday; $10 for Saturday and $2 for Sunday for adults. A weekend pass is available for $15. Children 12 and under get in free.
For more information visit the Great Texas Balloon Race website.