It's a world class event attracting the very best competitive pilots from across the United States and the world.

Considered by many of the pilots that compete at the Great Texas Balloon Race to be the best run event on the circuit, the Great Texas Balloon Race earned Longview the official designation as "The Balloon Capital of Texas" by the Governor of Texas in 1985.

In 2013 Gregg County was proclaimed "The Balloon Race Capital of Texas" by the 83rd Texas Legislature.

Balloon flights begin Friday morning with a flight over the City of Longview and continue each morning through Sunday over the East Texas Regional Airport. Launch and landing sites change each day as they are always determined by wind and the weather.

Balloon Glows on Friday and Saturday night entertain crowds with an awesome display of color and excitement. It's one of the most popular things to do at the event as the public is able to get up close and watch how balloons are inflated and operate.

Live concerts Friday and Saturday nights following the Balloon Glow extend the entertainment into the late night.

Kids Land is a safe restricted area for children that requires a small separate entry fee. Activities and attractions differ from year to year but it is always a fun time. Vendors display their arts, crafts and other merchandise in booths lined up along an improvised midway.

Food Vendors make sure there is always enough to eat and drink during the day and evening.

Schedule at a Glance

Friday, July, 27, 2018

6:30 AMGreat Texas Balloon Race Competition Flight over Longview

4:00 PMGates Open at East Texas Regional Airport for Great Texas Balloon Race / Media Special Shapes Inflations

6:30 PMSean Berry in Concert

8:15 PMSpecial Shapes Spectacular

8:45 PMGreat Texas Balloon Race Opening Ceremony

8:50 PMBalloon Glow

9:30 PM7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Experience in Concert

12:00 AMGates Close for the Day

Saturday, July, 28, 2018

5:45 AMGates Open at East Texas Regional Airport

6:30 AMGreat Texas Balloon Race Competition Flight over East Texas Regional Airport

6:30 AMRing Toss Competition and other Navigational Tasks (balloons will be launched from at least 2 miles away and fly over the event grounds at ET Regional Airport. Launch site and time will vary depending on weather and wind direction.)

11:00 AMGTBR Festival Closes for Midday

4:00 PMGTBR Festival Re-Opens for Evening Entertainment

6:30 PMThe Tyler Dudley Band in Concert

8:15 PMSpecial Shapes Spectacular

8:45 PMOpening Ceremony

8:50 PMBalloon Glow

9:30 PMDavid Nail in Concert

12:00 AMGates Close for the Day

Sunday, July, 29, 2018

5:45 AMGates Open at East Texas Regional Airport

6:30 AMRing Toss Competition and other Navigational Tasks (balloons will be launched from at least 2 miles away and fly over the event grounds at ET Regional Airport. Launch site and time will vary depending on weather and wind direction.)All times are approximate and schedule may change without notice. All events at the Great Texas Balloon Race are dependent on prevailing weather conditions. The safety of our pilots, volunteers and spectators is our primary concern.  Competitive flight for Friday will NOT be seen at the East Texas Regional Airport but will take place over the City of Longview and parts of Gregg County.   Each morning the flight launch and targets will be determined based on prevailing winds.