(ALL TIMES AND EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS EVENT GETS CLOSER)
Here is the 2025 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for the Great Balloon Race at Lake Storey Park, Galesburg, IL (soccer fields – just west of baseball fields)
Friday, July 25th
3:00 PM until the beginning of the night glow – Food vendors will be set up and selling food by the shelter of the launch field. Event T-shirts and raffle tickets available for purchase.
5:00 -8:00 PM – Galesburg Community Arts Center – Games from ROE #33 – Kids Train by Prairie Moon Farms
6:00 PM – Mass ascension of the balloons, weather permitting.
8:30 PM – Balloon night glow, weather permitting.
Saturday, July 26th
5:30 AM Pilot briefing on the field at Lake Storey
6:00 AM – Balloon Launch – The balloons will launch from an undetermined location and fly into the launch field at Lake Storey to try and throw a beanbag at the target(s) located there.
3:00 PM until the beginning of the night glow – Food vendors will be set up and selling items from food by the shelter of the launch field. Event T-shirts and raffle tickets available for purchase.
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Children’s crafts will be available from the Galesburg Community Arts Center, Face painting by Friendschool Collective with materials provided by the Regional Office of Education, Mobile playground, Fire truck, Bus, Army Truck, and games by the Regional Office of Education.
6:00 PM – Mass ascension of the balloons, weather permitting.
After the flight and before the Night Glow – Golf Ball Drop-tethered balloon over launch field with a “X” on the field and golf balls are numbered. Selling Golf Balls for $5.00 each and whatever # gets closest to the center of the X when dropped out of the basket wins the 50/50 raffle. Tickets are for sale on Friday and Saturday.
Tickets for sale $5.00 each for a chance to win a ( )
8:30 PM – Balloon night glow, weather permitting.
Sunday, July 27th – Note: Flight ONLY if weather prevented previously scheduled flights
5:30 AM Pilot briefing on the field at Lake Storey
6:00 AM – Balloon Launch – The balloons will launch from an undetermined location and fly into the launch field at Lake Storey to try and throw a beanbag at the target(s) located there.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE, TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE & WEATHER PERMITTING AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!
Balloon rides at the event will be for sponsors only. Please help us thank the following sponsors as they keep this a free, family event!
Diamond Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Friends of the Great Balloon Race
Vendors:
ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
(BALLOONS CAN NOT LAUNCH IF WINDS ARE OVER 10MPH)
