The Great Reno Balloon Race takes place right next to the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Hundreds of balloons take flight at Rancho San Rafael Park, only minutes away from campus. The free event welcomes over 150,000 spectators annually, from all around the world, making it a staple of Reno’s culture.
The crew of the Hot Minute balloon, captained by Tristan Maclean, get set to take off prior to the Great Reno Balloon Race on Thursday, Sept. 10.The skyline of Reno shot from a hot air balloon during the Great Reno Balloon Race on Thursday, Sept. 10.Captained by Kurt Adelsberger, the New Adventure balloon takes off from Rancho San Rafael Park during the Great Reno Balloon Race on Thursday, Sept. 10.An aerial view of University of Nevada, Reno’s Mackay Stadium taken during the Great Reno Balloon Race on Thursday, Sept. 10. The famous Battle Born balloon, piloted by Pat Irwin, idles on the field in front of the rising sun during the Great Reno Balloon Race on Thursday, Sept. 10.Citrus in the Sky, piloted by Karalyn Mumm, flies over Virginia Street during the Great Reno Balloon Race on Thursday, Sept. 10.