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.

LAST YEAR'S RACE WINNER WAS: Joe Ritchie of St. Louis

Bradley Smoker Grill Winner: Hank Norris

Schedule of Events

Friday July 26th

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:1/2 the balloons will illuminate during the night glow.

　

 

Saturday July 27th

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

Live rendition of our National Anthem. The other ½ of the balloons will then do the “night glow”.

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Sunday July 28th

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 TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

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