Galesburg Great Balloon Race 2024 Special Shape from Indy Hot AirSmiley

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!

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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    (pending scheduling) 
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.
12:00 PM-3:00 PM – Motorcycle show with 4 categories to vote on. Please come out and vote and take a look.
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 Civic Arts Center, Face painting by Knoxville High School Cheerleading 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 2 tickets to select 2023 Cardinals home games.
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
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors

ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND ALL EVENTS ARE WEATHER PERMITTING AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

(BALLOONS CAN NOT LAUNCH IF WINDS ARE OVER 10MPH)

NAME THAT TUNE MUSIC TRIVIA NIGHT

Join us for a night of “Name That Tune style” fun! Brought to you by J & J Entertainment. Get your team of up to 10 together and try to put your musical knowledge to the test against other teams.  We will play short song clips and your team will write down the song title and artist.  The team with the most correct guesses at the end of the night will win!  $10 per person and up to 10 per team.  The event will be held Saturday April 20th, 2024 at The Knights of Columbus Hall on Fremont Street in Galesburg.  Doors open at 5:30pm, trivia starts at 7pm.  (Usually runs about 3 hours)  Get your friends together and join us for the fun!   To register or if you have questions; contact Greg Saul.  There will also be a 50/50 drawing.

Pre-registration appreciated at Galesburgballoonrace@gmail.com.  Pay at the door the night of the event.  Cash, check and most major credit cards accepted. All proceeds benefit the Great Balloon Race, a 501c3.

 

Plan ahead for November 2nd, 2024! 

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

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