Opening Ceremonies and a Reverse Parade to Kick-Off the 2019 U.S. Nationals Hot Air Ballon Championship

Champion pilots, crews, spectators, visitors and balloon enthusiasts are coming to Gering, Scottsbluff, Mitchell and Terrytown for the Balloon Federation of America 2019 U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships August 12-17, 2019.  The events will kick-off with the official “Opening Ceremonies and Reverse Parade” to be held in downtown Gering on Saturday, August 10, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
 
The “Reverse Parade” will feature pilots and their balloon baskets lining 10^th Street in downtown Gering; pilot’s baskets will remain stationary in the center of the street as local-area residents, kids and families will parade (walk) around to mingle and mix with pilots in a festive event setting.  Pilots will be trading their hot air balloon cards with the kids; food trucks, an entertainment stage, kids face painting and balloon animals together with sponsor booths will be located along 10^th Street and surrounding pilot’s baskets.
 
During Opening Ceremonies on stage; the Mayors of the cities orchestrating the U.S. Nationals Hot Air Balloon Championships and Old West Balloon Fest events will join the Old West Balloon Fest Board of Directors and Balloon Federation of America officials to read the official proclamation and kick-off the competition.  Ray Richards will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
 
Opening Ceremonies and the Reverse Parade are open to the public FREE OF CHARGE; 10^th Street in Downtown Gering will be blocked off between N & P Streets for all events.  Residents and Visitors are invited downtown on Saturday to officially welcome competition pilots to Western Nebraska for the 2019 U.S. Nationals Hot Air Balloon Championships.
 
For spectators, visitors and balloon enthusiasts in the Gering-Scottsbluff-Terrytown-Mitchell areas; the Balloon Federation of America U.S. Nationals Hot Air Balloon Championships will mean 70-80 balloons flying our Western Nebraska skies for a full week of competition events throughout the county, two evening balloon glows and two early morning mass ascensions.   Opening Ceremonies and the Reverse Parade will kick-off world-class competitive entertainment proven to be a community-wide celebration for all to enjoy.