Pete Copeland on the Great Reno Balloon Race

2021 marks the 40th Anniversary of one of Reno's biggest community events, the Great Reno Balloon Race. It's held at Rancho San Rafael park (September 10-12 this year) and is the largest free ballooning event in the world.

This week on the Renoites, Conor is joined by the executive director of the Great Reno Balloon Race, Pete Copeland. Pete and Conor talk about the balloon event industry, how the Reno Balloon Race got started as an opening at for the Air Races, the different challenges of piloting in different parts of the country, advancements in balloon-manufacturing, the history of all the fun weird-shaped balloons, the GRBR pilot incubator program to train new pilots, partnerships with local organizations like The Children's Cabinet, and so much more!

You can learn more and prepare for the event at http://www.renoballoon.com

Thank you for listening!