Glowing balloons: Festival offers fun to fans of serious balloon competition

East Texans on their way to work this week have seen hot air balloons competing overhead, but the end of the week heralds the start of the 36th annual Great Texas Balloon Race — and the time off work to enjoy it.

Eleven pilots in the Great Texas Balloon Race will join 54 U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship pilots on Friday for a weekend full of competition, live music and fun on the grounds of the East Texas Regional Airport.

“Normally pilots are not allowed to fly with the national championship pilots, but we get special permission because they know we are serious about competition,” said Bill Bussey, a hot air balloon pilot and founder of the Longview event.

Gregg County was named the Balloon Race Capital of Texas in May by the 83rd Legislature.

“We’re literally known for that all over the ballooning world,” Bussey said.

While national championship pilots compete in up to six tasks per flight, GTBR pilots complete fewer than that for a chance to win $5,000, Bussey said.

An additional $5,000 is awarded in the key grab, where a pilot must draw near enough to a pole at the airport to drop a ring over it.

“When you win here, you know you’re beating the best,” Bussey said.

Visitors to the festival may notice several changes this year, overhead and on the ground.

A new special shape balloon is scheduled to make its inaugural flight in the skies over Gregg County.

A hummingbird, sponsored by Gateway and Zippy J’s, will make its first-ever appearance during the festival.

“It’s just coming out of the factory and being tested. We are so excited about that,” said festival Chairwoman Frankie Parson.

Returning special shapes include the bees — Joey, Lilly and Joella — along with Coco the Clown and Arky. The Old Lady and the Shoe will return for the first time in years, as well.

“We’ll have 10 this year, and we’re happy our budget is able to handle the additions,” Parson said.

The Special Shapes Spectacular is scheduled to begin at 8:15 p.m., followed by the ever-popular balloon glow at 8:50 p.m.

Theme music from classic western TV shows and movies will accompany the glow, Bussey said.

Whether viewed from a lawn chair at a distance or while walking underneath the lighted dirigibles close enough to feel the heat from the flames, the spectacle is a memory many find worth repeating.

During the glow, attendees can get up close and see how a balloon is set up, inflated and operated as a field of more than 50 balloons light up the night sky.

For the first time, gates on Saturday will close between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The festival has stayed open all day in the past.

“We’ve found it gets pretty warm during that time, and it makes for a long day for vendors,” Parson said.

Booths featuring arts, crafts and other merchandise will be set up along a makeshift concourse alongside food vendors offering roasted turkey legs, funnel cakes, snowcones and more.

Gates open at 5:45 a.m. Friday through Sunday for early-risers to watch the fly in, when pilots compete challenges while passing over the airport.

Nearby Kids Land will again be set up with new inflatables and activities for children.

Admission to the festival is free for children under 12 years old, but there is a $5 admission for the children’s play area.

Carnival rides and the petting zoo are being relocated this year, taking up residence near Kids Land, Parson said.

Radar, the Belgian gelding owned by Priefert Manufacturing in Pittsburg and until 2007 the World’s Tallest Horse in the Guinness Book of World Records, will pose for photos at the carnival. A Longhorn steer will also be there.

The festival features live music each night. This year Cody Canada & the Departed perform Friday and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers are set for Saturday.

via – Longview News-Journal