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02-22-2012
Balloon Race Names New Safety Director (RENO, Nev.) – The Great Reno Balloon Race is proud to announce Larry Ratkoviak, a long-time partner of The B... more
01-20-2012
The Great Reno Balloon Race is looking for a partner to manage the general parking facilities during the 2012 event to take place Sept. 7-9. Event di... more
Balloon Race Named in Top 10 Nevada Events
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← news archive09-11-2011
Event organizers and Board of are thankful for a wonderful 30th anniversary
(RENO, Nev.) – The 30th annual Great Reno Balloon Race brought large crowds, new pilots and balloons, special shapes, perfect weather and lots of fun. Organizers estimate more than 150,000 spectators attended the three-day event, with Sunday’s attendance one of the largest in event history, thanks in part to great weather and a special tribute to Sept. 11 2001.
“Many thanks go out to our skilled pilots, generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers who all contributed to a 30th anniversary event this weekend that was nothing short of spectacular,” Pilar Aldecoaotalora, Balloon Race board president said. “We are thankful for another year of free family fun at this wonderful community event and can’t wait to see everyone next year.”
The top 10 winners of this year’s on- and off-field competitions are:
- First-place winner: Pat Irwin, of Lovelock, Nev., flew for Barefoot Bubbly, the official champagne sponsor of the Great Reno Balloon Race.
- Second-place winner: Jeff Gilles, of Temecula, Calif., flew for Good Neighbor Pharmacy.
- Third-place winner: Dana Thornton, of San Jose, Calif., flew for Muckel Anderson CPAs.
- Fourth-place winner: Allen Anderson, of Minden, Nev., flew for the Kersey Family.
- Fifth-place winner: Gary Michalek, of Lafayette, Calif., flew for Peppermill Resort Spa Casino.
- Sixth-place winner: Bill Woodhead, of Grants Pass, Ore., flew for St. Paul’s Methodist Church.
- Seventh-place winner: Lewin Williams, of Las Vegas, Nev., flew for Energy Systems.
- Eighth-place winner: Brian Keown, of Santa Monica, flew for the Great Reno Balloon Race.
- Ninth-place winner: Gary Peterson, of Gardnerville, Nev., flew for Reno.com.
- Tenth-place winner: Aaron Dieringer, of Reno, Nev., flew for RE/Max.
Visit www.renoballoon.com for more information about The Great Reno Balloon Race and to become a sponsor of the 2012 event, set for Sept. 7, 8 and 9.
Thanks to the continued support of generous sponsors, The Great Reno Balloon Race continues as the nation’s largest free hot-air ballooning event for its 30th year.
Contact: Rebecca Wikler
rebecca@o-apr.com
(775) 829-2810 ext. 507
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.
