Hot air balloons brighten skies over Reno

Sandra Chereb

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999 | 10:44 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - A champagne bottle, a big bovine, a tiger, an eagle and an ark filled with critters will be among the shapes and sizes that chase two gigantic piggy banks across the northern Nevada sky this weekend during the 1999 Great Reno Balloon Race.

About 130 hot air balloons are anticipated for the 18th annual event Friday through Sunday, race spokeswoman Cammy Elquist said.

An estimated 125,000 people are expected to converge around Rancho San Rafael Park over the three days to watch the huge, colorful balloons rise gracefully into the desert sky.

The highlight of each day is the mass ascension, when about 100 balloons take off, some at the same time, others shortly thereafter. While those on the ground enjoy the picturesque display, the pilots will be competing for $20,000 in prize money in what is actually the Hares and Hounds Race.

The "hares" in this case will be two piggy bank-shaped balloons sponsored by Norwest and Wells Fargo banks. One hare will launch before all the others, followed by the second hare about 15 minutes later.

The pilot in each of those balloons will find a safe place to land and place a bull's-eye target on the ground for the "hounds," or other balloons, to pursue.

When a hound reaches a target area, the pilot throws a marker as close to the bull's-eye as possible. The closest toss at the end of the day receives the most points. The pilot with the most points after three days wins.

The top 25 point-getters receive a prize, with first place taking home $2,000, second place $1,500 and third place $1,000, Elquist said.

As the mass ascension takes flight at about 6:45 a.m., about 25 balloonists positioned within a one-to-two mile radius from the main launch field will be waiting to take off in what is called the community launch.

"They launch and try to find specific wind currents to bring them into the main field," Elquist explained. Those pilots will try to hit a target in the park field.

A new game this year is Balloon Blackjack, in which balloonists will try to toss a mark on two cards out of 10 laid out in the park.

"The pilot that hits the two cards with the highest hand in blackjack is the winner," Elquist said.

The community launch and balloon blackjack provide viewers with more chances to see the balloons up close, after the mass ascension.

"We're trying to get more balloons to come in front of the spectators," Elquist said.

Another highlight for truly early risers is the Dawn Patrol. At 5:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, five specially equipped balloons will take off, lighting up the pre-dawn sky as they glow and ascend in the darkness.

If you've never attended the balloon races, event organizers say it is wise to come early. By 5 a.m., parking is already crowded.

It is also best to dress in layers. The temperature can be downright chilly if not cold before dawn, and warm up quickly once the sun comes up.

The event itself is free, while beverages, snacks and souvenirs are available to purchase.