The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival will be taking place from October 3-11. Tickets cost $8 per session and up to 100,000 people are expected to be in attendance for each session. If you are looking for a free event or one that will have less crowds, consider attending the Great Reno Balloon Race. It will be occurring from September 11-13 at the Rancho San Rafael Park.
History
This balloon race only has about 140,000 in attendance each year. It first started in 1982 with only 20 balloons. Originally the purpose of it was to create an attraction for tourists to go to that was between the Reno Air Races and the Nevada State Fair. Today the race consists of about 100 balloons and has become a popular event for residents and tourists of the Reno area. It is currently the largest free hot air balloon race that takes place in the world.
Competitions
There are four events that take place: The Hare and Hound Competition, Balloon Blackjack, The E.L. Cord Tissue Paper Hot Air Balloon Launch and The World’s Largest Pajama Party Pajama Fest.
The Hare and Hound Competition- For this event two balloons are the designated hares and 100 balloons are hounds. The hares are given a slight head start and the hounds have to try to catch up to them. It might not seem that hard for 100 balloons to try to catch up to just two of them, but it can be quite difficult for the hounds to navigate around each other.
Balloon Blackjack- In this event pilots play blackjack. Winners receive prizes that are from many of the local casinos and businesses.
The E.L. Cord Tissue Paper Hot Air Balloon Launch- Students make colorful hot air balloons out of tissue paper. They are released off of Bunsen burners on Thursday and Friday of the event.
The World’s Largest Pajama Party Pajama Fest– This is the newest event at the balloon race. Visitors are supposed to wear pajamas and come to the race with “bed head”. It ends up becoming one big pajama party that the old and young alike take part in.
The Great Reno Balloon Race is a family friendly event. In order to make it all happen, about 100 people, called the Aeronauts, volunteer and help with keeping up the grounds and setting up. Because of the volunteers and the various sponsors, admission to the race remains free.
