by Daily You Newswire

East Texas Regional Airport will once again be the venue for this year’s race.

July 30- August 1, 2010 will be the “Balloon Race Weekend” this year in East Texas, race organizers have announced. East Texas Regional Airport will once again be the venue for this year’s race, marking 32 years of hot air balloon racing in Longview.

This year’s Race is a little later than usual, as the Race has historically been the 2nd weekend of July. Due to growth and increased activity at East Texas Regional Airport, the Great Texas Balloon Race Board of Directors has changed the dates to accommodate some logistical needs.

“We are very close neighbors with the new LeTourneau University Hanger, at the airport”, states Richard Lazarus, 2010 Chair for the GTBR. “July 30-August 1 is a time when LeTourneau classes and activities at the hanger will be on a summer break, so it just made sense to move our event to this ‘down time’ for them. It will allow us to grow our event without interfering with the routines of the school. And 2010 will be a growth year for the Race, with an expanded air show and some other things that will bring attendance up throughout the entire weekend.”

While July is a very hot time of year to have an outdoor festival, it has, for years, been the month for the Great Texas Balloon Race. After exhaustive research, July was determined to be the month with the very lowest risk of weather related issues. But organizers also have to be aware of other balloon events and competitions all over the world. According to Dr. Bill Bussey, the Race founder, “The Great Texas Balloon Race has, from the early days, been a world class event for balloon pilots. So it’s always been important that we position our event in consideration of other big balloon events.”

Known as the longest running hot-air balloon event in Texas, The Great Texas Balloon Race began in 1978. From its original venue at Longview Mall, the race moved to the former Stroh’s Brewery site (1985-1986) and then to its current home at the East Texas Regional Airport.

For more information visit the official race website at www.greattexasballoonrace.com.

Source: Great Texas Balloon Race