Here are a few photos from the Great Reno Balloon Race held about a month ago. I had started this post then, but my computer malfunctioned. But, it’s never to late to show some cool photos. I had so many to sort through. I hope you enjoy them.
The Great Reno Balloon Race starts early if you want to catch the Glow Show and the Dawn Patrol. I think it’s worth it, but it did require my family to rise well before the crack of dawn at approximately 4:30 am. Yes, that part was painful. It was actually a miracle that were able to do it. Even more of a miracle that I didn’t have a cup of coffee until about 6:30 am. Oh, but it was worth it.
DAWN PATROL
Balloons twinkled like stars, choreographed to music. It was quite a spectacle and the crowd was awestruck (and probably half asleep).
MASS ASCENSION
The moment we had all been waiting for had arrived. Once they are swelling with hot air, it doesn’t take long for the balloons to begin their ascent. There were 87 balloons that participated with at least twelve of them in special shapes, including a Pepsi Can, Darth Vader, Tweety Bird, Shark, and a Wells Fargo Wagon. All balloons were sponsored this year. I understand it’s quite costly to own on of these balloons, estimated at least $50,000, and this does include the cost of racing them. I envisioned them all lifting off at once. But it didn’t quite happen like that. They mostly lifted in spurts in small groupings.
When Darth Vader ascended, they played the Star Wars theme.
THE RACE BEGINS
It is a race, although you’d never know it. They seemed to float rather aimlessly. The balloons attempt to hit some mysterious “X” post in the sky. I never saw them anywhere. Participants throw bean bags (or something) at a target with their insignia to prove, indeed, they were there.
Not all balloons finish the race. This one landed in the parking lot.
Here’s a nice view of Reno on our walk back to our car. Shark and Tweety Bird never made it off the ground. Poor Tweety never even filled up.
The kids probably had the most fun playing with their cousins and running through the open fields.
Of course, spotting a snake on our walk back was pretty hard to beat, too.
I’m sure one day my kids will ask me, “Remember that time we saw the balloons?” Yes, I remember. It was a beautiful day. If you ever get a chance to go to a balloon race, I highly recommend it.
AmyReeseWrites 
Congrats on being FP! I love chasing these balloons over the cornfields in Iowa and Nebraska. We wait for the cooler weather in the fall so we can see more balloons in the air — it is a great thrill to see them so close. Love the pictures!
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Thank you, Katie. It’s amazing how massive they are up close. I can see why it must be a pretty big production to race one of these balloons. They must look beautiful over the cornfields. I can just picture it. Thanks for the visit.
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That Darth Vader balloon is incredibly cool, I hope it didn’t pop any other balloons with the force on its way to the finish!
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Darth was especially cool. I didn’t see him pop anyone, at least not that I know of! Thanks for the visit.
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Reblogged this on gloomishmel and commented:
Ouaou!!
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These photographs are so beautiful, I wished to be there too. We have balloons too in the mid Anatolia, maybe you know, in Cappodicia. Fascinated me. Thank you and also congratulations on being Freshly Pressed. With my love, nia
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Thank you, Nia! There is something magical about a hot balloon, and seeing them all floating together is wonderful experience. Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
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The photos are awesome . Congrats for FP . well deserved 🙂
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. I’m happy to share them.
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Cool pictures. In India, we have a similar festival but of Kites
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Thank you, Pratibha . Oh, I would love to see kites. I bet that is really beautiful to see. Thanks for visiting!
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That 2nd image of the balloons at night is fantastic! I love they played music for the Darth Vader balloon too! Thanks for sharing:)
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Thank you, Eric. I like the night shots, too. Everyone loved Darth Vader. I have some cool ones of Darth floating in the sky I like also. Darth is the only one who had a theme song. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos!
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bookmarked!!, I like your blog!
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Reblogged this on chaotiqual.
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Wonderful photos and event! . . . Love how the balloons were choreographed to music!
http://arabianmusings.wordpress.com/
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Thank you, Michele. I didn’t expect the music. That kind of took me by surprise. It added to the excitement!
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This event is now on my bucket list of “to see!”
Thank you for sharing those beautiful pictures! Was that snake alive?
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Great, Joanna! I’m happy my pictures inspired you. I think you would really enjoy it. I hope you get the chance. The snake, indeed, was alive! As it was early morning and it was cold, he was barely moving. I think he was harmless, but he looked daunting!
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The Darth Vader balloon rising above the other pretty balloons was pretty cool! Glad you had a great time! Have a great Friday!
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Thank you, Java Girl! Darth was the cool one. He looked especially cool floating around in the sky. I hope you enjoy your Friday, too, and your weekend!
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Beautiful photos! The Darth Vader one is hilarious, and I love the image of all the balloons as they’re about to take off. Seeing the two people in the foreground helps to put the size and scale into perspective. Great post!
best, e.v.
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Thanks, E.V.! There is something funny about seeing a huge, floating Darth Vader head, isn’t there? He’s definitely a crowd favorite. I, too, like the photo of the balloons as they were taking off. I was attempting to capture the event as it unfolded. Thanks so much for your nice comments!
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So magical! My grandfather used to have a huge photo of air balloons in his house. I totally forgot about it until seeing this post. Thank you for sharing 🙂
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Good Day, Healthy Artists! Thanks for sharing. I think hot air balloons are magical, too. I don’t know what it is about them. It was wonderful to see them close up. Thanks for the visit!
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Awesome! You’ve got a very nice photos of balloons!Seems like you were having so much fun together with your kids 🙂
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Thank you, Jim. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. It was a great way for the family to spend time together. The kids had a blast! Thanks for stopping by.
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I strongly agree with you, spending time together with our family is such a very great pleasure!
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If I stay home, I end up doing chores and housework. Sometimes, I just have to get out to have good quality time with the family.
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And that’s great!
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I’m so glad Vader was back again this year… and now I’m a little sad I didn’t go to this one. You should have stopped at Doughboys before you went to the Dawn patrol… they open early and they have coffee.
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Hi, Soul Walker. Hello again! Good tip. I’ll remember that for the future. We were in such a rush to get there, I couldn’t stop for coffee. Never again! Vader is cool. I love the floating Vader head. He’s menacing up there in the sky.
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I totally wish I had gone this year, if only to see Vader again… I mean, after all, he does find lack of faith disturbing and I wouldn’t want to piss him off. I think I actually still have a picture on my phone of him from last years races.
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Oh, no! You wanted to piss off the Dark Force. I hope he’s still on your phone. You can always put my picture on there if you’d like. May the Force be with you!
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I once went to a midnight showing of one of the episodes and sat in the front row (dressed up in costume). My friends and I stood up right before the film began, turned to face the theatre, and said, “may the force be with you.” I have never heard such cheering directed anywhere near me in my life.
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I would have cheered, too! That’s very funny. It’s the power of the Dark Side…
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People often don’t believe me… they say my nerd does not present as expected.
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We are currently at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. You totally captured the Dawn Patrol and the kids having fun on the field!
Perused other posts while here…you are adorable. Keep it up!
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Hi, Beckie. You are very sweet to call me adorable! Thanks for checking out my blog. Oh, the Albuquerque Festival is supposed to be huge, isn’t it? Thousands, correct? Reno is just a warm up for that one. Thanks! Indeed, I wanted to capture the day!
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These are not the balloons you are looking for. I love the Darth Vader one.
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Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I think Darth is a definitely a festival favorite. I enjoyed watching his floating head in the sky! And, his take off to the music was cool.
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Balloon fan and multi time passenger…as beautiful as these photos are (I just love the mass ascent and the glow), may you sometime have the opportunity for a ride. It is so quite and mystical, really.
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Oh, really…you’re the first person to mention actually riding in one! How exciting. I would love to be a passenger, just so long as I don’t have to operate it. I bet it truly is a mystical experience. I think that’s on my bucket list. Thanks for the kind words.
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The Darth Vader balloon is so cool! I thought all the pics were stunning. Will definitely follow you. : ) -Joe-
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Hi, Joe. Well, welcome! Thanks for the follow. I’m happy you enjoyed the photos. It’s hard to resist Darth Vader. He’s very cool floating around in the sky! He’s a festival favorite.
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Going up on an air balloon is on my bucket list. Awesome pictures, thank you for sharing.
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Hey, me too. I, too, want to fly in one, but only as a passenger. I’m sure if I was in charge of navigating, I would end up in the hills! Thank you and thanks for stopping by.
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Congrats on being Freshly Pressed !!! Your photos are beautiful.
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Thank you, Rita! I appreciate your comments. Thanks for stopping by.
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Very awesome photos. LOVE them. Totally on my list to go see something like this.
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Thank you very much! I’m glad I could provide you with some inspiration. I hope you can go someday to see one. It’s worth the trip! Thanks for the visit.
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Once a hot air balloon came very close to landing in our backyard! I would love to experience a balloon race! Thanks for posting amazing and colorful photos!
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Thank you, Donna. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos! My relatives live very close to where this balloon race is held. They often land right in their street and come pretty close to landing on the roof! I hope you have a chance to go someday. It’s really beautiful to see all the balloons floating together in the sky.
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Reblogged this on Makais Blog and commented:
pretty balloons
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Gorgeous photos! Congrats on being FP! My uncle lives in New Mexico, and they have a hot air balloon launch I’ve been wanting to see. I might just have to do it now!
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Thanks, EV! Thanks for your nice comments. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. I hope you can make it to the New Mexico event. I bet you’ll love it. The balloons do not disappoint. They’re beautiful to watch.
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oh, so this is the one that breaks all the records? Awesome! 😉
Subhan Zein
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Thanks! I’m glad you liked it. 😉
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like everyone else, i love the Darth Vador balloon so campy & fun!! i would love to go to the Albuquerque festival! great pics!
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Thank you! Darth was a favorite for sure. It was a funny one to watch, floating around in the sky. I hope you can go to the Albuquerque one!
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Amy, those are wonderful pictures. I’m so glad this made it into the Fresh Pressed Annals. 🙂
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Thank you, David! It’s great to hear you say that. I have such great respect for your writing 🙂
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beautiful pics and nice post 🙂
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Thank you very kindly!
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looks like alot of fun!!…must ‘ve been such a view watching them take off….and poor tweety :(..
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It was a lot of fun! I’m glad we got to do and that I took some photos 🙂 Yes, poor tweety…we hung around awhile hoping tweety would float, but it never happened!
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This looks like such a wonderful event to have experienced! Poor Tweety and Sharky!
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Yes, it was a great time. It’s a fun sight to take in with the family! I stuck around for a long time to see Tweety, and eventually, I had to give up! Tweety just lay there with Shark. I think it got too windy!
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Bumble bumble! Congrats on being FP’d! You are so lovely all squished flat and all! 🙂
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Yay! Thanks, Renee. I think that’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me! I love being squished flat. 🙂
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