July 30, 31 & August 1, 2010

The Great Texas Balloon Race Story

In 1978, the Great Texas Balloon Race was born from an agreement between Dr. Bill Bussey, D.D.S., a world-record hot air balloon pilot, and Frankie Parson Riggins and Mary LeTourneau, Longview Mall managers.

To advertise the mall's opening, Bussey draped a Longview Mall banner on his hot air balloon and flew over the city of Longview. The "deal" was that "Bussey could create the first Great Texas Balloon Race."

Two years later, Bill Stoudt and Stroh's joined forces with the Longview Mall and the first-ever Balloon Glow was held on the mall's south parking lot.

Along with other pilots, Dr. Bussey created an evening attraction designed to delight the crowds. Tethered balloons were illuminated setting off a spectacular display of light.

This first-ever "balloon glow" became an instant success and is held both Friday and Saturday evenings. Whatever modifications have been made at balloon events around the world, you can know that this crowd-pleasing event began in Longview, Texas.

In 1985, due to ever-increasing attendance, the launch site was moved to the Stroh Brewery complex.

From 1987-1989, the race was not held. But when it returned in 1990, with the support of Gordon Lively of Lively Olds-Cadillac-GMC, the race was moved to the East Texas Regional Airport south of Longview. The airport is still the home of the race today.

The most exciting race is known by pilots as the Controlled Navigational Trajectory Event. Better known to us as the "Key Grab." Each pilot has only one chance in each race to "steer" their balloon toward a 12 inch ring atop a 20-foot pole.

In 1995 the race was won when a pilot from Fayetteville, Arkansas, John Strack, successfully grabbed the coveted key for a prize of $50,000. The prize was divided in 1997's race to provide excitement both Saturday and Sunday morning. On July 12, 1997, fortune and pilot skill again combined when the key was successfully snatched off the pole by Shawn Krause of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, rendering for him a prize of $25,000.

In 1999 and again in 2000, the "Key Grab" was captured BOTH Saturday and Sunday morning. The first $12,500 prize in 2000 was won early in Saturday morning's race by Joel Sturdevant of Vail, CO. Sunday morning, Phil Glebe, of Brighton, MI reached out and grabbed the ring making him instantly $12,500 richer!.

The Great Texas Balloon Race is a North American Balloon Association event. GTBR invites 80 sport and special-shaped hot air balloons. The pilots compete for the Texas State Championship. If you've never seen these colorful, graceful giants in the sky, watch out! The beauty and elegance will have you hooked for life.

Admission to the Great Texas Balloon Race
ADVANCE TICKETS $12 each day Fri. & Sat.
Advance tickets are available at area Super 1 Foods 
in Longview, Marshall, Tyler, Mt. Pleasant, Shreveport/Bossier & Texarkana 

Ticket Prices at the gate:
$15.00 per person each day Fri. & Sat.
Children 12 and under are admitted FREE.
FREE admission on Sunday

For more information contact:
903/237-4000 or 903/753-3281