The Great Reno Balloon Race takes place annually in September at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno, Nevada. This massive ballooning celebration features about 100 hot air balloons. Over 120,000 people attend the four-day festival every year. Held since 1982, The Great Reno Balloon Race has become an internationally-renowned event voted ‘Best Special Event in Reno’ and ‘Best Special Event in Northern Nevada.’
The Great Reno Balloon Race Entertainment
In addition to the hot air balloon launch, the festival offers live music and entertainment. The main highlights of the festival include the Mass Ascension Launch, which starts at 7 am. Watch over 100 balloons going up from Rancho San Rafael Park, covering the sky with bright colors. After Mass Ascension, tethered rides will be available for children.
The Glow Show is another must-see event, taking place at dawn. Piloting a balloon in the dark is a dangerous task and requires a lot of experience. It might be hard to come to the festival at 5 am on Saturday and Sunday, but the sight of over 35 balloons glowing and twinkling to music is definitely worth it.
The Great Reno Balloon Race’s Tissue Paper Balloon Launch is a community event where 2,000 school students launch colorful hand-made hot-air balloons that they made by themselves. Tethered balloon rides are available for the public after mass ascensions, starting from 8 am. Renown Children’s Hospital will provide free tethered rides on the Reach for the Stars balloon. Also, Balloon Nevada offers a unique balloon ride opportunity to 10 visitors per day to see the festival from above.
For those who would rather stay on the ground than go up in the sky, there's plenty of things to do as well. Balloon Boulevard vendors offer crafts, arts, souvenirs, food, and drinks. There is also GRBR apparel and memorabilia.
Location and Parking
The Great Reno Balloon Race runs at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, a 570-acre Washoe County park. Different parking lots provide different walking distances into the park. However, parking is not allowed along McCarran Blvd, on Evans Ave. General public parking will be available at Rancho San Rafael Park throughout the day for a $25 cash donation at the event. Also, the parking areas at Rancho San Rafael Park have limited entrances.
Festival Bans
Due to the unpredictable sounds that the balloons make, pets are not allowed at the festival grounds. Also, smoking and vaping are prohibited at the park.
