September 09, 2008
Horsepower Special Report: Great Reno Balloon Race 2008
I used to live up above the Rancho San Rafel park on Gypsum Dr. years ago. It wasn’t the best of neighborhoods, but we made the most of it by watching the frequent fireworks from our porch, chatting with Officer Dangle on his frequent visits to our neighbors across the cul de sac and watching the balloons float past our apartment from the comfort and warmth of our bed.
This year, though I was invited to the Media Preview of the Great Reno Balloon Race. So I went, and took the video camera with me…
2008 is the 27th annual Great Reno Balloon Race, and they had over 100 balloons and thousands of spectators.
By chance I was assigned to a balloon sponsored by Cathy Blair, owner of Vino100, a little wine shop just down the street from our office. We use that shop frequently for gift baskets or boxes for clients and friends and are always happy with the service and product. Thanks Cathy!
One of the things I mentioned in my blog post about the experience is contrast between some of the other events in Reno that are loud, fast, dangerous and generally have a larger impact on the city. Not that there’s anything wrong with Hot August Nights, or Street Vibrations, or the Air Races, but the balloons are so relaxing, and quiet and slow as the float out of the park and spread out across the skyline @ dawn…
Thanks to the continued support of generous sponsors, the Balloon Race continued as a free event for its 26th year. This year’s Major sponsors include: Wells Fargo Bank, the May Foundation, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, Eldorado Hotel Casino, Harrah’s Reno, Lennar, Shell, Bear Industries, Reno.com, Bonanza Casino, Jack in the Box, Great Basin Internet Services, Communications Installation Services Inc. (C.I.S.) of Reno, KRNV News 4 and KOH Radio. With a special thanks to our underwriters: Club Cal Nevada, Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, Fitzgeralds Casino Hotel, Grand Sierra Resort, IGT, Peppermill Hotel Casino, Sands Regency Casino Hotel, University of Nevada, Nancy Gilbert Attorney at Law and Muckel Anderson CPA’s.
If you missed it this year, check it out next year. Get there early and help launch a balloon. I’d recommend also riding a bike up there as parking can be a major pain. This year the Nevada Bike Coalition set up their Bike Valet.
-Mike
Posted in Horse Power Podcast, Podcast, Reno-Tahoe, Social
September 10th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Mike, I’m so glad you had good time and thank you for the video. I’m going to share the link with the rest of our board of trustees. A psychic vision is coming to me: I’m seeing a balloon with a Twelve Horses banner on it next year!
September 10th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Hey Mike - what a great video! Thanks again for coming out. We’ll make sure to forward this around . . .
katie
September 10th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Mike,
I hope Twelve Horses will sponsor next year. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you the info.
Alice
September 10th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Glad you liked the video.
hmmmm… a giant Twelve Horses logo floating above the reno skyline. That sounds nice!
-M
September 10th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Our family has sponsored a balloon for years and years. We love it for many of the same reasons you have cited…beautiful, quiet, family oriented. In addition to the sponsors listed, there are many of us who help keep the Race going through our family sponsorship…as do many small businesses through the corporate sponsorships. We would love to have you join us!