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The Great Balloon Race in Galesburg
July 30, 2023 @ 6:00 am
Come enjoy the color and beauty of the The Great Balloon Race at Lake Storey Park (just west of the baseball fields) in Galesburg.
The featured balloon this year is “OGGY, The Friendly Dragon”. Jack Semler from Indianapolis, IN, pilots this year’s special shape balloon. Oggy is a 1996 Aerostar Special Shape balloon. He stands 143 feet tall and has a volume of 175,000 cubic feet. He is more than two times the size of a normal balloon! Make sure to come out onto the field during the evening glows to check him out up close and in person!
Free admission and free parking! Times are approximate and all events are weather permitting.
Sunday, July 30th – Note: Flight ONLY if weather prevented previously scheduled flights
5:30am: Pilot briefing on the field at Lake Storey
6:00am: 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.
6:00am: 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!!!
Previous days’ schedules:
Friday, July 28th
3:00pm 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.
3:00pm 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 – 8:00pm: Children’s crafts will be available from the Galesburg Civic Arts Center and face painting by Knoxville High School Cheerleading with materials provided by the Regional Office of Education.
6:00pm (approximately): Mass ascension of the balloons, weather permitting.
8:30pm: Balloon Night Glow, weather permitting.
6:00pm (approximately): Mass ascension of the balloons, weather permitting.
8:30pm: Balloon Night Glow, weather permitting.
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Saturday, July 29th
5:30am: Pilot briefing on the field at Lake Storey Park
6:00am: Balloon Launch – the balloons will launch from an undetermined location and fly into the launch field at Lake Storey Park to try and throw a beanbag at the target(s) located there.
12:00pm – 3:00pm: Motorcycle show with 4 categories to vote on. Please come out and vote and take a look.
3:00pm 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.
5:00pm – 8:00pm: 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.
6:00pm: 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.
8:30pm: Balloon Night Glow, weather permitting.
5:30am: Pilot briefing on the field at Lake Storey Park
6:00am: Balloon Launch – the balloons will launch from an undetermined location and fly into the launch field at Lake Storey Park to try and throw a beanbag at the target(s) located there.
12:00pm – 3:00pm: Motorcycle show with 4 categories to vote on. Please come out and vote and take a look.
3:00pm 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.
5:00pm – 8:00pm: 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.
6:00pm: 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.
8:30pm: Balloon Night Glow, weather permitting.
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