Inaugural Nevada State Balloon Champion Series Announced

2013 Ruby Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival. Photo: Matthew B. Brown

As part of Nevada’s sesquicentennial celebration, Nevada 150 announced the inaugural Nevada State Balloon Champion Series. A special trophy will be awarded to the pilot who finishes with the most points from hot-air balloon races held throughout Nevada during 2014. Between January 25 and October 31, series points will be gathered and determined by a representative from each race in conjunction with The Great Reno Balloon Race Aeronauts. The seven 2014 races include:

• Mesquite Balloon Festival - Jan. 25-26, Mesquite
• The Lovers Aloft Balloon Festival - Feb. 14-16, Lovelock
• The Winnemucca Balloon Festival - Apr. 26-27, Winnemucca
• The Pahrump Invitational Balloon Rally - Mar. 7-9, Pahrump
• The Great Reno Balloon Race - Sept. 5-7, Reno
• Ruby Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival - Sept. 26-28, Spring Creek
• RE/MAX Nevada Day Balloon Launch - Oct. 31, Carson City

"We are excited to award, for the first time ever, a Nevada State Balloon Champion for our state's sesquicentennial celebration," says longtime Nevada pilot Pat Irwin. "We hope this series will add new interest and excitement in all of these great balloon races across Nevada."

At the end of the final race, the winning pilot will be awarded the Nevada State Balloon Champion trophy and will be featured in the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City on October 31.

For additional information or to participate in the Nevada State Balloon Champion Series, contact Pat Irwin at 775-273-7123, 775-461-6887, or pirwin@health.nv.gov. For more information about this event and to view all the upcoming events for the Nevada 150 celebration, visit nevada150.org.