The world’s largest free hot-air balloon festival makes its return to the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park this weekend.

In 1982, just 20 hot-air balloons took flight at the Great Reno Balloon Race. Now, close to 100 balloons will lift off on September 7 – 9. Spectators are clad in pajamas, wrapped in blankets and clutching hot beverages as they gaze into the sky for the Glow Show that takes place at dawn. Shortly after, some will rise for Dawn Patrol and then the rest follow later at Mass Ascension. Skill and consistency are the keys to a victory and a piece of the $11,000 prize.

The mission of the GRBR is to provide a premier, safe and family oriented event that is visually dramatic and celebrates the joy of flight while remaining free to the

Airplane racing is the world’s fastest motor sport and returns to the Reno skies this week.

When viewed in person as planes dart across the sky above the crowd, the event is quite spectacular. People from all across the country come out to Reno for the heart-pounding action September 13 – 17.

“For the general public, it’s the type of aviation event they can’t see anywhere else, no other show flies this low and close to the crowd so the excitement is there; and nowhere else can you walk through the pits and get close to all of the different planes and the pilots,” said sport class president, Bob Mills, who will be racing for his seventh year.

This year’s event highlights the races, which are the most popular part of the festivities. They will

The seasons are flipping from a chilly spring into a sun-drenched summer and area-wide events!

Check out the roundup of memorable summer events below.

The Wildest Richest Rodeo in the West. Kicking off on Wednesday, June 14 with a concert from Dustin Lynch, this event is celebrating its 151st anniversary. Hoot and holler for 10 days and nights with the best of the nation’s cowboys. Held at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Center, the best rodeo competition in the country will attract over 750 professional athletes this year.

Richard Marx Live for One Night Only. On June 24 at 8pm, catch Richard Marx live at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. An American adult contemporary singer and songwriter, Marx has sold over 30 million records. Some of his big hits

The National Championship Air Races return to Reno for its 53rd year this week.

Photo courtesy of www.airraces.org

The weather is predicted for clear skies and early attendance numbers are through the roof, tracking ahead of last year’s races by 10% according to president and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association, Mike Crowell. Attendance last year was up by 8% to total a whopping 150,000 attendees. Crowell hopes that this year’s will fall between 160,000 and 175,000.

The races will begin today, September 14 and run until Sunday the 18 at the Reno Stead Airport.

“The weather right now – knock on wood – looks good with beautiful mornings and nice afternoons,” Crowell said. “If we get great weather, I think we’ll see a boost in