LONGVIEW, Texas — It’s a bird… it’s a plane… actually, it’s even better! It’s hot air balloons flying over the city of Longview in the Great Texas Balloon Race.
"First of all it’s a race, or a navigational competition. And then the Great Texas Balloon Race is also a festival that we have every year," said Michelle Ford and Gai Bennett, co-chairs of the Great Texas Balloon Race.
At last year's competition, there were only two days they were able to fly because of the weather. It’s something that can change in just a matter of minutes.
"Yesterday they gave the OK to fly, and between the time we left the morning briefing and got out to the target location, within about 30 minutes the ceiling dropped. This haze moved in and the visibility dropped so they actually didn’t fly yesterday. So yes, there are so many weather factors that can affect us," Bennett said.
Of course, they are all hoping for good weather, more than fifty pilots from 17 states are currently in East Texas, competing in the Balloon Federation of America National Championship. One of those pilots is Collin McClung.
"We came out here last year (and) were overly welcomed when we came out here last year. When we drove away last year going home, we said I think we need to move," McClung said.
McClung said the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico is no match for the competition here in the Lone Star State.
"The entire point of coming out here and competing at US nationals is to compete on a level we can’t compete anywhere else," McClung said.
Those who aren't early birds can catch the fun at Friday and Saturday night at the Longview fairgrounds. The balloon festival takes place with plenty of attractions for the whole community.
"We have live music acts Friday and Saturday night. We have a beautiful balloon glow each night weather permitting, and this year we have a drone show," Bennett and Ford said.
For a schedule of events, click here.