Video<\/u><\/a> by Passport Aerial Photography<\/p>\nA hot air balloon creates excitement that attracts and holds attention. More than six million spectators annually attend hundreds of balloon events nationwide, more than any other outdoor summer activity, including baseball games and car races.<\/p>\n
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Balloons launch Friday and Saturday Evening 7 PM<\/p>\n
Gates open at 5:00 pm to give spectators an early glimpse at the hot air balloons as pilots assemble them for their flights. (Weather Permitting)<\/p>\n
First, the pilot and crew spread the colorful canopy out across the grass and connect the balloon envelope (canopy) to the gondola. Balloons are inflated with giant fans. Then the pilot ignites the burner forcing hot blasts of air into the balloon canopy, which causes it to rise. Remember your early science lessons – “Hot Air Rises.” Part of the romance in ballooning, is not knowing exactly where the air currents take you. Balloon pilots navigate by ascending and descending the balloons into different air currents, but they are incapable of actually “steering” the balloon into a precise location and can land miles from their launch site. Chase crews follow the balloons to their destinations as the balloons rarely land where they launch.<\/p>\n
The Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival is the First Showcase of its kind and will be similar to other Balloon & Wine Festivals around the country which have become successful including those in the Temecula Valley, California and Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||0px|||” use_border_color=”off” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival Balloon List & Pilots<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_padding=”11px|0px|0px|0px” transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” custom_width_px=”1080px” custom_width_percent=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”off” custom_width_px=”1080px” custom_width_percent=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”RE\/MAX” image=”https:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/UNCLESAMHOTAIRBALLOON-1.jpg” image_icon_width=”none” admin_label=”RE\/MAX” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Abel|on|on||” header_font_size=”22″ body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” image_max_width=”none” icon_font_size=”96px” use_circle=”off” use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Pilot: Matt Fenster<\/p>\n
Bellevue, NE<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”ONYX” image=”http:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/ONYX-HOT-AIR-BALLOON-247×300.png” image_icon_width=”none” admin_label=”ONYX” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Abel|on|on||” header_font_size=”22″ body_text_align=”center” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” width=”56%” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” image_max_width=”none” icon_font_size=”96px” use_circle=”off” use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Pilot: Gary Cass<\/p>\n
Yuma, AZ<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Spirit of Savannah” image=”http:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/24-Spirit-of-Savannah.png” image_icon_width=”none” admin_label=”Spirit of Savannah” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Abel|on|on||” header_font_size=”22″ body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” width=”58%” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” image_max_width=”none” icon_font_size=”96px” use_circle=”off” use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Pilot: Andrew James<\/p>\n
Kansas City, MO<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Highly Contagious” image=”http:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Darcy-Hoch-new-balloon-2017_small-2.jpg” image_icon_width=”none” admin_label=”Highly Contagious” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Abel|on|on||” header_font_size=”22″ body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” image_max_width=”none” icon_font_size=”96px” use_circle=”off” use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Pilot:\u00a0Darcy Hoch<\/p>\n
Milo, IA<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Tequila Sunrise” image=”http:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/myrideballoonTequilaSunrise.jpg” image_icon_width=”150px” admin_label=”Tequila Sunrise” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Abel|on|on||” header_font_size=”22″ body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” image_max_width=”150px” icon_font_size=”96px” use_circle=”off” use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Pilot: Bret Christian<\/p>\n
Indianola, IA<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Green State Credit Union” image=”http:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/25-GREEN-STATE-CREDIT-UNION-BALLOON.jpg” image_icon_width=”150px” admin_label=”Green State Credit Union” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Abel|on|on||” header_font_size=”22″ body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” image_max_width=”150px” icon_font_size=”96px” use_circle=”off” use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Pilot: Denny Anderson<\/p>\n
Ankeny, IA<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”Scenic Breeze” image=”http:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Scenic-Breeze.jpg” image_icon_width=”150px” admin_label=”Scenic Breeze” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Abel|on|on||” header_font_size=”22″ body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” image_max_width=”150px” icon_font_size=”96px” use_circle=”off” use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Pilot: Steve Lacroix<\/p>\n
Omaha, NE<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Living the Dream” image=”http:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Living-the-Dream-Craig-Hunter.jpg” image_icon_width=”150px” admin_label=”Living the Dream” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Abel|on|on||” header_font_size=”22″ body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” width=”58%” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” image_max_width=”150px” icon_font_size=”96px” use_circle=”off” use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Pilot: Craig Hunter<\/p>\n
Gretna, NE<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Belvedere” image=”http:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/belevedere.jpg” image_icon_width=”150px” admin_label=”Belvedere” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_font=”Abel|on|on||” header_font_size=”22″ body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” width=”55%” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1px” border_style=”solid” image_max_width=”150px” icon_font_size=”96px” use_circle=”off” use_circle_border=”off” circle_border_color=”#7EBEC5″ circle_color=”#7EBEC5″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Pilot: Adam Jaworski<\/p>\n
Omaha, NE<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#921211″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” custom_width_px=”1080px” custom_width_percent=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” custom_width_px=”1080px” custom_width_percent=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Abel|on|on||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”24″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
For More Information, Contact: Mike Mancuso, Festival Director<\/p>\n
Produced By: Mid-America Expositions, Inc. (402) 346-8003 <\/a><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Friday and Saturday, August 15th & 16th, 2025More than six million spectators annually attend hundreds of balloon events nationwide . . . Have You Ever Wanted to Ride in a Hot Air Balloon? Now may be your chance! We can also arrange Rides available with participating Hot Air Balloons. Contact us at (402) 346-8003. Get […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","spay_email":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/223"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=223"}],"version-history":[{"count":93,"href":"https:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2368,"href":"https:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/223\/revisions\/2368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/showofficeonline.com\/NebraskaWineBalloon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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