July 30, 31 & August 1, 2010

The Great Texas Balloon Race  tracks its begining to 1978  when  a Longview Pilot  flew his hot air balloon over  Longview announcing the opening of the Longview Mall.

Today the event is the pride of Longview.  Without the hundreds of volunteers each year, the event would be impossible to present.  Some volunteers come from distant cities, and plan their vacation so they can participate in this exciting event. 

As you enjoy the event this year, you will have the opportunity to view some spectacular sights.  BE SURE TO BRING YOUR CAMERA, because the Great Texas Balloon Race produces more memories than anything else. 

Balloon rides are not offered to the public at the event because it is a serious competitive event on the circuit for balloon pilots that are competing for points toward their national standing.  

It should always be remembered that the Great Texas Balloon Race is held out of doors.  That means that it is subject to the whims of nature and weather.  Even if the weather causes cancellation of one of the races, there is a lot to do on the event grounds with Kid's Land, arts & craft vendors, food vendors, and many special exhibits. 

One of the most popular happenings at the Great Texas Balloon Race is the evening Balloon Glow on Friday and Saturday just as the sun sets and twilight passes by.  During the Balloon Glow, the public is able to walk among the balloons, observe how a crew puts a balloon into flight ready status from the bag it is is stored in, and talk to the pilots.    But the sight both from within and a distance away is an unforgettable sight. 

The Balloon Glow is a Real East Texas event because it was in Longview that the first one was ever staged.  Since then they are done at almost every hot air balloon festival and race around the world.

So enjoy a Real East Texas event and remember it was Longview that was the first to glow!

 Longview, Texas

The Official Balloon Capital of Texas!

The Great Texas Balloon Race is so much a Real East Texas event that in 1985, the Governor of Texas proclaimed and designated Longview, Texas as the Official Balloon Capital of Texas.

Since then, other events have received similar designations such as Plano, the Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas.  But it was in Longview,Texas that the first competitive hot air balloon event was held in the state and the Great Texas Balloon Race is the oldest and largest event of its kind in Texas.

Longview is proud to be the "Real" Official Balloon Capital of Texas and to be home town of Dr. Bill Bussey, a hot air balloon pilot that has held and still holds many world records for balloon flights.