Great Reno Balloon Races
The owners are quite creative in naming their balloons with names like Riatoh, Blue Moon, Alpenglow, Red Again, Falling Star, Paris, Mach Zero, Sundowner, United Van Lines , Autumn Fantasy ,Maxie’s Mariah III, Daybreak Cruiser, Sun Dragon, Queen of Diamonds, Kearney’s Mistress, Spilt Paint, Sierra Drifter, Blue By U, Moon Shadow, Sky Ryder, Magic Moments, Yu-Zakura, and Anasazi. There are original balloons like Snoopy with his doghouse, the Energizer Bunny, Garfield, an American Eagle, Garfield, Peter Rabbit, United Van Lines, SBC, and RE/MAX
“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.” The Great Reno Air Races Association.
Various contests are held throughout the event, which include the Hare & Hound: Hunting Balloon-Style, Fly In Task – Judge Declared Goal, Tissue Paper Balloon Launch, and the Tissue Paper Balloon Launch.
Hare & Hound: Hunting Balloon-Style is modeled after the English sport of a hounds chasing a rabbit. The rabbit, two balloons, is given a head-start, 100 or so balloons act as the hounds and try to snare the two balloons. The first hare launches first and makes it way to the target area, which is undetermined. About 15 minutes later, the second balloon, a Wells Fargo Bank (the sponsor of the event) will launch. Each balloon has a separate target for the for the other balloons (hounds) to pursue. The pilots are signaled by the launch officials and the mass of ascension balloons (hounds) begin the hunt. The hares, after safely landing, place targets on the ground for the pilots to navigate to. When the balloon (hound) reaches the undetermined target area, the pilot of the balloon throws a marker as close to the bulls-eye as possible. The closest toss to the center of the target, receives the most points. The Hare & Hound competition continues throughout the event with the pilots compiling points through the event and the pilot with the most accumulative points wins! Keen navigational skills, altitude, and directional wind current are important. With the prize money at $20,000 all pilots and balloons want to enter the competition. .
Fly In Task – Judge Declared Goal is where the officials or judge of the Great Reno Balloon Race picks a target, which is based on the prevailing and expected winds in the area. This event had the pilot fly their balloon, using of navigation skills, to drop a marker at the specified target(s). The target is selected prior to the pilot’s briefing each morning and can be anything from an “X” to a floating target.
Fly In Task – Calculated Rate of Approach Task brings pilots back to the field in a specified amount of time. Officials place a target somewhere on the field and pilots work their way back, racing the clock, to reach the target before the specified amount of time is over.
Fly In Task – Maximum/Minimum Distance Double Drop
While the pilots are flying out for Mass Ascension, two targets will be set up for the Maximum Distance Double Drop and the Minimum. Pilots will return to the field (still in the sky) and attempt to throw a marker at each target. For the Minimum Distance Double Drop, they will want their markers to be as close as possible. For the Maximum Distance Double Drop, they will want their markers to be as far away from each as possible.
Dawn Patrol: There are only a handful of balloonist who are qualified to fly in the dark and it’s definitely worth the early rise to see this show. This task is dangerous as atmospheric conditions change drastically as the sun begins to rise. Balloonists glow, twinkle and fly along with choreographed music and crowd participation. This event takes place on Saturday and Sunday only.
Tissue Paper Balloon Launch: On Friday, September September 9th, students from all over the Washoe County School District will launch their Tissue Paper Balloons into the air at 9:30 a.m. This is quite a sight to see as the children can be quite inventive in their construction of balloons.
Balloon Boulevard: Crafts, souvenirs, food, sweatshirts, jackets, programs (which is the recipient of the prestigious Pinnacle Award by the International Festival and Events Association), and warm drinks can be appreciated as the air can be quite cool at 5:00 a.m. Other features for souvenirs include Film, batteries and recyclable cameras posters. The Reno South Kiwanis Club will also host a pancake breakfast complete with juice and sausage. Look for the gazebo on the west grass area of the park.
With over 130,000 people attending the event last year be sure to arrive early and plan on parking on nearby streets. Many campers line the street nearby San Rafael Park and rooms fill up quite early. If you have any questions regarding the 24th Annual Great Reno Balloon Race program, please call (775) 850-7676. With the Great Reno Balloon Races and many other events, Reno, Nevada, The Biggest Little City in The World, is much more than just a gambling town.
