Galesburg Balloon Race

Since 2000 The Great Balloon Race has called Galesburg, Illinois it's home. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Storey, it has played host to more than 30 majestic hot air balloons each year. Pilots from across the country have traveled to this event to compete in the balloon competition and to share their balloons and stories with familes from around the region. The event will be held July 27-29th 2012.

THIS YEAR'S RACE WINNERS WERE: 1st Place - Dan Reusch of Peoria, 2nd Place - Tom Kiltz of Quincy, 3rd Place - Joe Ritchie of St, Louis, Mo., 4th Place-Hank Norris.

Bradley Smoker Grill Winner: Jim Pearson

Schedule of Events

Friday July 27th

3:00 p.m. until the beginning of the night glow

Craft vendors will be set up and selling items from food to homemade crafts by the shelter of the launch field.

6:00 p.m.

Mass ascension of balloons from Lake Storey Park, just west of the baseball fields. Fun crafts for the children to make courtesy of Dick Blick art supplies

　

Dusk

The Patriot Guard of Western Illinois will be selling 50/50 tickets throughout the evening, to benefit their cause and the balloon race. We will also have a mass helium balloon launch for the children sometime before the night glow.

Saturday July 28th

6:00 a.m.

The balloons will launch from an undetermined location and fly into the launch field to try and throw a beanbag at the target(s) located there.

3:00 p.m. until the beginning of the night glow

Craft vendors will be set up and selling items from food to homemade crafts by the shelter of the launch field.

6:00 p.m.

Mass ascension of balloons from Lake Storey Park just west of the baseball fields. Fun crafts for the children to make courtesy of Dick Blick art supplies

 

Dusk

Jamie Harroun of the band Just For Play will lead us in our National Anthem. The other ½ of the balloons will then do the “night glow”.

The Patriot Guard of Western Illinois will be selling 50/50 tickets to benefit their cause and the balloon race. We will also have a mass helium balloon launch for the children sometime before the night glow.

Sunday July 29th

6:00 a.m.

The balloons will launch from an undetermined location and fly into the launch field to throw beanbags at the target(s) located there.

　

ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

(BALLOONS CAN NOT LAUNCH IF WINDS ARE OVER 10MPH)