The U.S. Bank Derby Festival Great Balloon Race is one of Louisville's beloved family traditions. In 2008, the Derby Festival will again feature both Friday and Saturday morning races. The multi-race docket gives spectators young and old more chances to take in the exhilarating view of boundless colors and shapes.
Just 7 balloons flew in the inaugural race from Iroquois Park in 1973. A field of 50 balloons participated in the 2007 balloon events.
Due to rain and unfavorable wind conditions, the Friday morning U.S. Great Balloon Rush Hour Race was cancelled.
The RE/MAX Balloon, piloted by Brian Trapp, was declared winner of this year’s U.S. Bank Great BalloonFest, after coming in first in this morning’s U.S. Bank Great Balloon Race. Trapp came closest to the target laid out by race sponsor and hare balloon U.S. Bank. He dropped his bag of seed just 5 1/2” from the “X.” Sam Parks piloted the 2nd place balloon, Tran Orthodontics, coming within 1’7” of the target. Khris Sabia piloted the 3rd place balloon, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, and was 3’1” from the target. Don Conner piloted the 4th place balloon, King Corporate; while Henry Rosenbaum placed 5th with the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market balloon.
