Great Texas Balloon Race facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Texas Balloon Race |
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The Balloon Glow was first performed at the Great Texas Balloon Race
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| Genre | Hot air balloon festival |
| Dates | July (Annually) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Location(s) | Near Longview, Texas and Kilgore, Texas, Texas, United States |
| Years active | 47 |
| Participants | Varies (up to 50 hot-air balloons) |
| Attendance | Approx. 100,000+ |
| Website | Official Website: http://www.gtbr.net/ |
The Great Texas Balloon Race is a big yearly festival. It's all about hot air balloons! It happens near Longview, Texas and Kilgore, Texas. You can find it close to the East Texas Regional Airport. This festival started way back in 1978. It's known as the longest-running balloon event in Texas. More than 100,000 people come to watch every year!
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History of the Race
The Great Texas Balloon Race began in 1978. It quickly became a special Texas tradition. At first, it was a small local event. Over the years, it grew much bigger. Now, it is one of the largest balloon festivals in the United States.
How the Race Works
Every year, hot-air balloon pilots come from all over the world. They gather in East Texas for this exciting event. The pilots compete in different challenges. One famous challenge is the "Hare and Hound" competition. In this game, one balloon flies as the "hare." It drops a target on the ground. The other balloons are the "hounds." They try to land their sandbags as close as possible to the target.
Fun Activities at the Festival
The Great Texas Balloon Race is more than just a race. It offers lots of fun for everyone. You can enjoy live music and tasty food. There are also many family-friendly activities. You can find arts and crafts vendors too.
The Amazing Balloon Glow
One of the best parts of the festival is the "Balloon Glow." This happens in the evening. The hot air balloons stay on the ground. Their burners light them up from the inside. This creates a beautiful and colorful show. It's truly amazing to see!
Meet the Pilots
The event also has concerts. You can even meet the balloon pilots! This gives families a unique chance to learn about balloons. It's an educational and fun experience for all ages.
The Race Today
Today, the Great Texas Balloon Race is still a big summer event in Texas. It keeps growing each year. More people come, and more pilots join. The festival's location near Longview and Kilgore is easy to reach. This helps bring in visitors from all over the United States.
Past Events
The Great Texas Balloon Race was canceled in 2020. This happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the event came back strong in 2021. Balloon fans and visitors returned to East Texas. The festival has continued successfully since then.
