🎈Up, Up, & Away! Great Reno Balloon Race at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

Celebrating “Women in Aviation” at world’s largest free hot-air ballooning event

Reno, Nev. – The Great Reno Balloon Race (renoballoon.com), the world’s largest, free hot air balloon event, is announcing today in celebration of National Hot Air Balloon Day it has selected a theme for the 2024 event, taking place September 6, 7 and 8: Women in Aviation.

The theme will honor the contributions of women who have made advancements in the sport of hot air ballooning, including pilots and ground crew, volunteers for the 43-year-old event and the staff and board members who have been integral in making The Great Reno Balloon Race the beloved festival it is today.

Updated Schedule

Friday, September 6, 2024

3:30 a.m. Gates Open
4:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Shopping along Balloon Boulevard
5 a.m. Super Glow Show, presented by Custom Ink
5:30 a.m. Dawn Patrol, presented by Custom Ink
6:45 a.m. National Anthem – Alana Ridge
6:45 a.m. Women of Aviation Mass Ascension
7 a.m. Mass Ascension Launch
8 a.m. Tethering Activities
9:30 a.m. E.L. Cord Foundation Tissue Paper Balloon Launch

Saturday, September 7, 2024 – Paint the Park Pink

Spectators encouraged to wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness efforts
3:30 a.m. Gates Open
4:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Shopping along Balloon Boulevard
5 a.m. Super Glow Show, presented by Custom Ink
5:30 a.m. Dawn Patrol, presented by Custom Ink
6:45 a.m. National Anthem – Nick Sorrentino\
6:45 a.m. Women of Aviation Mass Ascension
7 a.m. Mass Ascension Launch
8 a.m. Tethering Activities

Sunday, Sept. 8

3:30 a.m. Gates Open
4:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Shopping along Balloon Boulevard
5 a.m. Super Glow Show
5:30 a.m. Dawn Patrol, presented by Swizzle
6:45 a.m. – National Anthem – Jessica Pauletto
6:45 a.m. Women of Aviation Mass Ascension
7 a.m. Mass Ascension Launch
8 a.m. Tethering Activities

General Public Parking at Rancho San Rafael
Gates open at 3:30 a.m. For a $25 cash donation to the event (cash only), attendees can park on their choice of two lots located on the corner of Sierra Street and McCarran Blvd., as well as on Coleman Street. These lots are a short walking distance away from the field.

Parking at the University of Nevada, Reno

Individuals able to walk moderate distances can park for free at the University’s lots in the Green and Blue 1 lots on the northwest side of Mackay Stadium. Cars must be removed by 11 a.m. (Subject to be earlier on Saturday in advance of the University’s afternoon football game.)

RTC – Don’t Drive, Arrive!
RTC will be adding extra service to the RAPID Virginia Line on September 6, 7 and 8 from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. and extending the route to Rancho San Rafael Park. Passengers who board at stops along the RAPID Virginia Line route may ride for FREE with service every 15 minutes to the park. Buses are accessible to people with disabilities. To plan your trip, visit rtcwashoe.com.

150,000 expected

The Great Reno Balloon Race attracts local, regional, national and international crowds. Pilots hailing from across the world are selected from an invitation-only process in order to guarantee event-goers safety. This year’s event has already confirmed nearly 100 balloons that will fill the Reno, Nevada skyline during the three day festival. Highlights of the event include early morning Super Glow Shows, where balloon fuel meets the contrast of dark skies and vivid color to illuminate the sky, followed by the Dawn Patrol – a healthy collection of balloons chasing the sunrise – and Mass Ascension, where all balloons cleared-for-flight and participating lift off in an impressive spectacle. Like in years past, organizers anticipate an estimated 150,000 attendees, local and international visitors alike, to watch the colorful spectacle.

Dawn Patrol

To commemorate the special theme, each morning’s flag-raising ceremony will be led by a female pilot, taking the American flag into the sky as the first official flight following the day’s Dawn Patrol. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and greet a variety of female pilots throughout the festival’s proceedings.

“Hot air ballooning is a massive undertaking, and we felt it was high time to celebrate those who have advanced this sport and their impressive contributions,” said Pete Copeland, executive director for The Great Reno Balloon Race. “We want the thousands of children who witness the magic during this event to recognize that they, too, could pilot a balloon if they wanted to.”

Women have been involved early on in hot air ballooning, starting with Sophie Blanchard, the wife of ballooning pioneer Jean-Pierre Blanchard. Blanchard made more than 60 ascents and was eventually appointed as the “Aeronaut of the Official Festivals” by Napoleon Bonaparte. The Great Reno Balloon Race welcomes multiple female balloonists to participate and three are already registered to compete in 2024. One such lauded participant is Elizabeth Wright-Smith, who has more than 5,000 hours total time in balloons and flew the Stage Coach special shape balloon on behalf of Wells Fargo for a number of years. This year, Wright-Smith will fly the Smokey the Bear special shape balloon to commemorate the forest fire prevention mascot’s 80th year espousing the importance of protecting against unwanted and unplanned outdoor fires.

Economic jolt

The event is estimated to contribute well over $6.6 million to the local economy thanks to international visits and increased traffic from locals. In the most recent study conducted regarding The Great Reno Balloon Race in conjunction with the University of Nevada, Reno, nearly 40% of attendees indicated they traveled in from out of the area and, of those, 34% listed the event as their primary reason for visiting. Additionally, 64% of those identifying as non-locals specified they incorporated a second event or trip (such as visiting nearby Lake Tahoe or Virginia City) as a factor in their attendance.

“I have watched hundreds of intelligent and dedicated women help make The Great Reno Balloon Race into the truly magical experience it has become,” said Katie Griggs, flight director for The Great Reno Balloon Race. “There are so many women who are in leadership roles and volunteers who serve as the backbone of this event. Although women pilots only make up about 15% of the pilots overall in our event, we have a large number of new women pilots who have recently gotten their pilot certificate or are working to get it. It is exciting we get to shine a spotlight on their work and passion this year, and I hope they will come to understand just how much their contributions have meant to the sport overall.”

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

About The Great Reno Balloon Race:

The Great Reno Balloon Race is the world’s largest free hot air ballooning event. Held annually in Reno, Nevada, since 1982, the event has grown from just 20 balloons to upwards of 100, attracting ballooning enthusiasts and spectators from around the world. The GRBR is a beloved tradition, known for its spectacular balloon displays, vibrant community spirit, and commitment to providing a free, family-friendly event for all to enjoy.

For more information, visit renoballoon.com

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