SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA – The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission announced today the return of the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship, July 10-15, and the Raising Cane’s Red River Balloon Rally, July 13-14, on the campus of LSU Shreveport.
The event will feature the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship with 40 of the best balloon pilots in the country competing against each other throughout the week, as well as a festival that will include balloon glows, live Christian, country and rock bands, fireworks displays, tethered balloon rides, kid’s fun zone, food and craft vendors, and much more. Friday is Faith and Family Night presented by Broadmoor Baptist Church with performances by local praise groups Alive by Sunrise, Fellowship Community Church and DOXA Worship, followed by headliner Crowder. Saturday is Louisiana Saturday Night presented by Wray Ford with a music line-up that includes Southern Roots with Shreveport native and country music star Robert Mizzell, Odyssey Road-Tribute to Journey band, and an 80’s music experience with The Molly Ringwalds. This year, five special shape balloons will help light up the sky featuring Master Yoda, Darth Vader, Tall Steve the Penguin, Rocket the Flying Squirrel, and Yellow Bird.
Tickets for the festival are $10 ages 6 and over if purchased in advance at participating Super 1 Foods and Brookshire’s stores from June 20 until July 14. Tickets at the gate are $12 for ages 18 and up, $10 ages 6-17, $10 military with ID and free for ages 5 and under. For a complete schedule of Red River Balloon Rally events and to purchase group and single tickets online, visit www.RedRiverBalloonRally.com or the Red River Balloon Rally Facebook page.
The competitive balloons can be seen throughout Caddo and Bossier parishes each morning starting at 6:30 am. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, the balloons can be seen at LSU Shreveport for an assigned competition target attempt.
In addition to the Raising Cane’s Red River Balloon Rally, the public can also see the balloons at the Balloons over Desoto festival on Sunday, July 8 at C. E. “Rusty” Williams Airport in Mansfield, LA; and Glow Greenwood at Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, LA on Thursday, July 12.
Sponsors of the Raising Cane’s Red River Balloon Rally include the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, LSU Shreveport, Cumulus Broadcasting, Desoto Parish Tourist Bureau, the Louisiana Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism, KTAL NBC 6, and City of Shreveport.