Thanks for an amazing 2025 event!
A World Class Balloon Festival
Presented By
Race Start
JUNE 12 - 13, 2026
Longview will be returning to the Great Texas Balloon Race competition to run June 12-13, 2026. We hope to see you there!
On the Clock
Featured Event
Drone Show
Don’t miss this year’s return of a spectacular annual drone show Friday and Saturday nights. This new crowd favorite is a great addition to the Great Texas Balloon Race along with the Bill Bussey Balloon Glows, curated concerts and more.
Presented By
RE/Max
Zaxby’s
JCT Auto Sales
Leslie’s Outdoor Power Equipment
Hawkins Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care
The Tomberlain Family
Pilots
the GTBR proudly welcomes our pilots for the 2024 national hot air balloon championship. You can click below to view each pilots balloon and sponsors.
Rodney Williams
Branson, MO
Matt Robinson
Fort Worth, TX
Daniel Stukas
Central, SC
Mike Fielding
Oak Point, TX
Charles Edwards
Ft. Myers, FL
Gerry Palmer
Albuquerque, NM
Special Shapes & Model Balloons
Our special shape balloons will inflate at various locations around Longview on Friday and Saturday morning. Inflations are set 7-7:45 a.m.
For the third time this year, the Great Texas Balloon Race will include the flight of “model” hot air balloons. The slightly smaller balloons are still powered by propane but are steered by a remote pilot on the ground and do not have a basket — kind of like a model airplane. These balloons won’t be competing in the Great Texas Balloon Race, but balloon fans can catch them June 13 and 14 during the event.
Evening inflations at the event grounds will be at 8:50 p.m. during the balloon glow.
