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Bargain
Travel West guide to unique destinations, sight-seeing, history and
culture, budget travel vacation ideas for the independent traveler
in the
western U.S., Canada and Caribbean.
Travel Bargain Destination
in Nevada
THE GREAT RENO BALLOON RACE
Hot Air Glow in the Desert Dawn
Where
can you find an annual event that attracts 150,000 spectators called “the
great” anything, that’s free?! Well, if
you’re willing to get up at the crack of doom, wipe the dew of
sleep from your eyes before the sun even hints to creep over the eastern
Sierra Nevada mountains, you can find it at The Great Reno Balloon Race.
For a three day weekend in early September, bags of colorful hot air
light the dawn over the 
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park just west of
the campus of the University of Reno Nevada. A “race” in
the loosest sense of the word, the hot air balloons numbering up to about
a hundred of varying shapes and forms, rise and drift on air currents
to toss bean bags at designated targets on the desert ground, the closest
to the X earning points over the three days of flying to determine the
winner. Perhaps more aerial carnival than race, but what a grand and
glorious carnival, and requiring a great matter of skill. A hot air balloon
has no rudder or propeller, the skill of the pilot is principally in
the modulation of the heat injected into the balloon envelope to ride
the air currents.
The
Great Reno Balloon Race was first held in 1982 with 20 hot air balloons
participating,
and has since grown to about a hundred, drawing balloonists
from across the spectrum. During the three days, other events are held
for the spectacle and entertainment of the throngs of fans who come from
Reno and around the world. The “trademark” of the Reno event
is the “Dawn Patrol”, held on Saturday and Sunday, when a
handful of balloonists rated to fly in the dark, fly to choreographed
music as their balloons glow and twinkle in the pre-dawn. Beginning
at 5 am the “Glow Show” of balloons the lights illuminating
from inside like Chinese lanterns guide sleepy attendees walking
from
the parking
lot at the university to the park. In “Balloon
Blackjack” inspired
by the nearby downtown casinos, pilots compete to throw markers from
their baskets dangling over the field to hit “21” on giant
cards on the earth below. And especially for the participation of kids
from local schools, on Thursday and
Friday, student hand-made tissue paper balloons are launched. Tethered
balloon rides are also available at the park on Saturday and Sunday
for $5 a pop. – Oops, maybe not the most appropriate choice of
words. A five dollar donation to charity gets you an aerial view of
the scene,
suspended under the great envelope
of treated nylon and the heat of flame from the gas jets in bursts
ate the hands of the pilot rise you aloft
into the peaceful air, while ropes to the ground keep you from drifting
off to somewhere in Utah. For a real balloon ride over distance, you
have to become a sponsor.
Great Reno Balloon Race dates for 2011 - Sept 9-11
The
Great Reno Balloon Race is basically one big party. Officially. On
Saturday morning is
the “Pajama Fest”, billed as the world’s
largest pajama party. If you’re going to get up at 4 in the morning,
why bother to get dressed. The Pajama Party is accompanied by the “Bed
Head Competition” with prizes awarded for various categories of
best and worst bed head hair. The contest ends at 8:30 am so you can
comb or put on that hat. Recently the first balloon wedding was held
at the event. Arrive early on Saturday and Sunday, in time to watch the
Glow Show at 5 am and Dawn Patrol at 5:30 am. Offered on a bid basis,
the once-in-a lifetime (not a guarantee) wedding includes a balloon ride
after the ceremony, wedding planner,
honeymoon package, catering, photographer, and all the extras. The winning
wedding bid in 2009 was $10,000. Bidding closes about the 1st of June.
To get to the Great Reno Balloon Race, take I-80 through Reno and get
off at the Virginia Street exit. Go north 1 mile to the Lawlor Events
Center on the university campus. The Rancho San Rafael Park is two
blocks from the campus. The Balloon Race is held the weekend before
the Reno
National Air Races, so if you go for the color of hot air, try to plan
to stay for the thrill of propellers and jet fuel. © Bargain
Travel West
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Web Info
Reno Balloon Race
These
articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel West
and WLEV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
Some photos courtesy Great Reno Balloon Race.
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