Media Sponsors
The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is Mississippi's most exciting hot air
balloon race weekend! Two balloon flights take place each day,
weather permitting. Pilots compete as they fly over the cities of Natchez, Vidalia, and the mighty Mississippi River.
Our balloon festival
weekend starts with the Balloon Glow Friday night, and continues through
Sunday evening with a stage full of World Renowned Musicians. The
festival itself takes place on the grounds of Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens, On Broadway Street in historic downtown Natchez.
Here's a map showing the festival's exact location.
The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race has become a popular tradition here every October, so make your hotel or bed and breakfast reservations early. For more info about Hotel or Bed and Breakfast accommodations see NatchezMS.com or VisitNatchez.org.
The musical lineup for 2009 is kickin'! Leon Russell and Better Than Ezra are coming, along with a bunch of great artists and bands!
The 2009 Great Mississippi River Balloon Race entertainment includes:
Check out our Entertainment Page for updates and links to band websites.
Sponsored by City of Vidalia.
Click on the links below to view slide shows displaying some of the photos taken by our Balloon Race Crews.
If you are a pilot, a vendor, or need some other specific help, please
see our
contact list.
Many people ask us about take off and landing locations. Due to the nature of our race, those locations change frequently. We can tell you that the best place to watch is usually from the festival grounds themselves! The festival is held on the fairgrounds behind Rosalie Mansion on Canal Street.
Click Here to see a map with the location of the fairgrounds.
For more great Festivals and Concerts across the nation go to JamBase.Com!
Sponsored by Cable One and First Choice
This year a larger tent and more TV's! Watch college football on Saturday and the New Orleans Saints on
Sunday during the festivities!
If you would like to be one of our Major Event Sponsors, Co-Sponsors, or Media Sponsors, please call Patricia Ketchings at 601-442-2500.