Raffle Tickets!
This year The Great Balloon Race is selling Raffle Tickets for a Family Fun Pack! Tickets will be available for purchase at the event.
Galesburg Great Balloon Race 2024 Special Shape from Indy Hot Air “Smiley“
Pilot Jack Semler and Wife Lynn Semler!
Smiley Scarecrow is a 160,000 cubic feet balloon standing 120 feet tall.
Follow Smiley Scarecrow Hot Air Balloon on Facebook for his journeys worldwide!
2024 Schedule Of Events
(ALL TIMES AND EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS EVENT GETS CLOSER)
Here is the 2024 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for the Great Balloon Race at Lake Storey Park, Galesburg, IL (soccer fields – just west of baseball fields)
Friday, July 26th
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 27th
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 Family fun Pack to many surrounding family attractions!
8:30 PM – Balloon night glow, weather permitting.
Sunday, July 28th – 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
City of Galesburg
Platinum Sponsor
Amerigas
Re/Max Preferred Properties – Tom Knapp
Silver Sponsors
Blick Art Materials
Dr. Valerie Flacco-Nesselroad
Galesburg Community Foundation
Hein Construction Co. Inc.
Skate Palace
Bronze Sponsors
Ladner & Jain Orthodontics Ltd.
Purlee Farms
ROE#33
Way Insurance
Friends of the Great Balloon Race
Big E’s Auto
City Select
Dave’s Auto Body
Jet Air Inc.
Koppers Inc.
Lindstrom’s
Tompkins State Bank
In Kind Donations
B&B Printing
FM 95
Go Van Gogh’s
Norris Sound & Lighting
Vendors:
DON MONICO CONCESSIONS
SMILEY’S CONCESSIONS
MEADOWS CONCESSIONS
C & C KETTLE KORN
SUPER TATS AIRBRUSH TATTOOS
SPIN TO WIN
HENN HOUSE BBQ
GRAMMA NANAS KITCHEN
SHAWDADDY’S
TACO & THAI
KONA ICE
PRAIRIE MOON FARMS TRAIN RIDE
M & B’S
ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
(BALLOONS CAN NOT LAUNCH IF WINDS ARE OVER 10MPH)
About The Balloon Race
Since 2000 The Great Balloon Race has called Galesburg, Illinois it’s home. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Storey, it has played host to more than 30 majestic hot air balloons each year. Pilots from across the country have traveled to this event to compete in the balloon competition and to share their balloons and stories with families from around the region. The next event will be held July 26-28, 2024.
2023 Special Shape “Oggy the Friendly Dragon”
Courtesy of Indy Hot Air
