News and events
07-07-2008
The World's Largest Pajama Party - Pajama Fest 2008 WHO: The Great Reno Balloon Race WHAT: The Great Reno Balloon Race will host The Worl... more
06-04-2008
The Great Reno Balloon Race Solicits Community Support The beloved event issues a call for sponsors (RENO, Nev.) – Support is still needed to ... more
Weather
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Links
-The World's Largest Pajama Party
Event Highlights
The early morning hour acts much like a good cup of coffee without the side effects. The air briskly releases hints of fall. Looking around you see acres of billowing fabric, gently introducing panels of vibrant color into the landscape. As hot air encompasses the material, the liftoff begins and your spirits ascend with the hot-air balloons as they take flight.
The Great Reno Balloon Race is proud to feature the following events for your pleasure and enjoyment.
The Worlds Largest Pajama Party - Pajama Fest 2008
The Great Reno Balloon Race will host The World’s Largest Pajama Party, Pajama Fest 2008, in conjunction with the Glow Show, Dawn Patrol and Mass Ascension events of the Great Reno Balloon Race weekend. This newest event invites the public, young and old, to attend The Great Reno Balloon race in their pajamas. In addition to wearing pajamas, the event organizers invite everyone to show off their best (or worst) ‘bed head’ during the Bed Head competition. Prizes will be awarded for different categories, including best female ‘bed head’, best male ‘bed head’, best children’s ‘bed head’, best group ‘bed head’ and best corporate ‘bead head’.
E. L. Cord Tissue Paper Balloon Launch
In conjunction with the Washoe County School District, and thanks to the generous support of the E.L. Cord Foundation, hundreds of students will launch their Tissue Paper Balloons into the air. This delightful sight is on Thursday and Friday at 9:30 am. Click here for more information on the Tissue Paper Balloon Launch and to download instructions to make a tissue paper balloon.
Glow Show
Beginning at 5:00am on Saturday and Sunday, glowing balloons will act as a beacon to those sleepy spectators making their way to the launch field. Just follow the sound of "Dueling Banjos" and the distant glow of beautiful balloons. If that doesn't wake you up nothing will!
Dawn Patrol
A trademark of The Great Reno Balloon Race. Worth the early rise, the show features a handful of balloons who are qualified to fly in the dark. This is a dangerous task as atmospheric conditions change drastically as the sun begins to rise. Balloonists glow, twinkle and fly along with choreographed music across a darkened sky, leaving the crowd awe struck. Saturday and Sunday only.
Click here for more information on the 194th Aerostat Squadron Dawn Patrol.
T-6 Formation Fly Over
Each moring during the national anthem, just before the "Bald Eagle" takes flight for Mass Ascension, spectators will be thrilled by a T-6 formation fly over. Thanks to our partnership with National Championship Air Races, visitors can experience just a brief taste of what the Air Races are all about.
Wells Fargo Mass Ascension Launch
Starting at 6:45am on Friday, Saturdaty and Sunday, over 100 balloons will launch from Rancho San Rafael Park. The splendor of these unique and beautiful balloons thrill the crowd as they enjoy the multitude of vibrant sights and sounds in the early morning light.
Kids Corner
After the Wells Fargo Mass Ascension, the tethered special shaped balloons lead the way to The Great Reno Balloon Race's Kids Corner. There you will find many activities for Children and families. From face painting to balloon activities like The Great Reno Balloon Race Poster Art Contest, where kids can design their own creative Balloon Race poster featuring their favorites from the event. Kids Corner is located in the far east corner of the field and sponsored by the Wilbur D. May foundation. Thank you to The Solace Tree for providing the wonderful and friendly Kids Corner volunteers.
Balloon Boulevard
Crafts, souvenirs, food and warm drinks await spectators at the concession line. Film, batteries and recyclable cameras will also be sold. Official posters may also be purchased here along with official Balloon Race clothing and memorabilia. We encourage you to visit and support our vendors as they are part of the reason this event continues to be free.
Pancake Breakfast
The Kiwanis Club of North Valley's, Reno will host a pancake breakfast complete with juice and sausage. Look for the gazebo on the west grass area of the park. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. For ticket and other information contact Francey Dennis at 775-848-5143 or fhdennis@charter.net.
Balloon Blackjack
Pilots try their hand at throwing markers at jumbo-sized playing cards placed on the field. Those hitting 21, or closest thereto, at the centermost spot on the cards win the hand of the day! For more information on the rest of our on-field competitions, click here .
Tethered Rides
After Mass Assension, the RE/MAX balloon provides tethered rides for children. These rides are available to the general public for a $5.00 donation to the "Children's Miracle Network."
Thanks to the generous support of the May Foundaiton, the Children's Cabinet is able to provide tethered rides to disadvataged children. These rides are not available to the general public.
Special Shapes
Each year The Great Reno Balloon Race features a variety of special shaped balloons to the delight of our spectators. The list does change, but you can count on Wells Fargo Bank to buzz in with "The Little Bees," the May Foundation to fly the "American Bald Eagle," Sierra Front Wildfire Coopeators to bring "Smokey Bear" and Energizer to thrill the crowd with the "Energizer Bunny," Stay tuned to see what other special shapes will join in the fun to surprise all of us.
The mission of the Great Reno Balloon Race is to provide a premier, safe, family-oriented/tourist-attractive, visually dramatic event that celebrates the joy of flight while remaining free to the public.
