2023 Model Balloons

New for 2023: Model Balloons

Inflations on Friday and Saturday morning are at about 7-7:45 a.m.

The demonstration at Cavender's will be at about 10 a.m. 

For the first time this year, the Great Texas Balloon Race will include the flight of "model" hot air balloons. The slightly smaller balloons are still powered by propane but are steered by a remote pilot on the ground and do not have a basket — kind of like a model airplane. These balloons won't be competing in the Great Texas Balloon Race, but balloon fans can catch them June 16-18 during the event. 

The balloons will be at different places on the mornings of Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17. Catch them at about 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. They will also be at the Longview Convention Complex Friday and Saturday evening. Catch them 7 a.m. to about 7 :45 a.m.  Below are the balloons, and here is where you'll find them:

Friday

"Peter Porker" and "Pawz" will be at Origin Bank, 3805 N. Spur 63 in Longview

"Muffin" will be at Patterson Nissan, 3114 N. Eastman Rd.

"Pinky" and "A Lil' Guilty" will be at Eastman Credit Union, 2002 W. Loop 281 in Longview

Saturday

"A Lil' Guilty" and "Muffin" will be at 80 Acre Market, 12229 FM 1650, Gilmer, TX

"Lil Tex" Will be at Cavender's Boot City, 1306 W. Loop 281 in Longview, at 10 a.m.

"Euripides" will be at Broughton Community Center, 801 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Longview

"Pinky" will be at Origin Bank, 3805 N. Spur 63 in Longview

"Peter Porker" will be in downtown Kilgore, 101-199 N. Commerce St. 

The Model Balloons are brought to you by sponsors: Cavender's Boot City, 80 Acre Market and Origin Bank.