People

New balloonists arrive in Longview as second year of nationals set to begin


Many pilots arriving in Longview for the U.S. Nationals Hot Air Balloon Championship and Great Texas Balloon Race this week are veterans who have competed here year after year.

Joining them will be 12 new pilots set to arrive today and Sunday to compete in the championship that starts Tuesday.

Pittsboro, N.C., native Richard Parr and Atlanta, Ga., native Andrew Nels said Friday this will be their first championship to compete in.

This is the second year for Longview to hold the national championship.

“I’ve never flown a balloon in Texas,” Parr said. “The flight conditions are similar to those in North Carolina, and I know you don’t always get the calm winds.”

Nels said he took his first trip in a hot air balloon at 2 weeks old but didn’t start competing seriously until 2011.

“I’ve talked to a few people about the race in Longview,” Nels said. “I’ve heard it was very fun, and I’ve got to be up early. But I want to win.”

Parr started flying balloons after he retired in 2007 and said flying has been a life-long passion. He’s been involved in aviation for 54 years, and the national championship in Longview will be the fourth balloon race he has participated in this year, he said.

Parr said he is looking forward to the challenge of the race and the hospitality of East Texans — both of which he will get plenty of.

“All of my competitors are going to be a challenge,” he said. “I’ve heard that the people in Longview treat you very well and it is a fun place to be. I’m looking forward to it.”

Frankie Parson Riggins, GTBR chairwoman, said an opening ceremony will be held Monday for pilots competing in the championship. Another party Thursday will recognize all of the balloonists participating in this year’s festivities, she said.

“Each pilot and crew member will be recognized onstage,” she said. “Last year, we had about 700 attend the Thursday event.”

Welcoming balloonists and making them feel at home is something Gai Bennett has been doing the past seven years.

Now she welcomes not only the competitors for the Great Texas Balloon Race, but for the championship as well.

“It’s always exciting that new guys have qualified on the national level,” she said. “It’s equally exciting for us to get to know them.”

via – Longview News-Journal