Each of our 2025 travel stories will focus on a Texas festival. For a vibrant summer spectacle, we go to Longview for the annual Great Texas Balloon Race and festival.

As the first golden rays of sunlight creep over the East Texas horizon, a quiet excitement stirs across the field. Dozens of hot air balloons, in every color and shape imaginable, gently inflate and dance in the morning light.

While this is a sight you expect to see in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Texans can experience the excitement closer to home. Behind the pine curtain in Longview, the annual Great Texas Balloon Race takes place every summer.

In June, Longview becomes the epicenter of high-flying adventure as balloon pilots from around the globe descend on the city for what has become one of the most renowned ballooning events in the country. From sunrise flights that float over the piney woods to dazzling nighttime spectacles, this multiday festival offers something for every adventurer.

A Balloonist's Playground

“Mornings are better for flying,” balloon pilot Joe Zvada tells me as he prepares for a flight in his custom-made balloon named Born Before the Wind. “The wind is more stable, and we get an inversion that sets in near the surface. It gives us a lot of steering.”

Zvada, who hails from McAllen by way of Ohio, has been flying since he was a teenager. “I got my license at 16 and was flying before I could drive a car,” he says with a laugh. Like many balloonists, he learned the ropes as a member of another pilot's crew, eventually getting his own small balloon that would fit in his mom's minivan. He competed on this smaller scale until he was able to eventually upgrade to both a larger vehicle and balloon and basket. Now, with more than 24 years of experience and competitions under his belt in places like Austria, Slovenia and Japan, he's a seasoned pro.

Zvada explains that pilots don't steer hot air balloons like traditional aircraft. Instead, they rely on navigating wind layers. “We have direct control of up and down by adding heat or venting. But to steer, we catch different wind directions at different altitudes. In the morning, you can get 100 to 180 degrees of steering depending on how high you are.”

For Zvada and his fellow pilots, mornings during the race mean precision flying competitions with a variety of tasks designed to test skill and adaptability.

“This morning we had five tasks. One was a ‘fly-on’ where we had to pick our own goal, mark it virtually and hit it precisely. Another was a gravity drop, where we just drop the marker straight down instead of throwing it. It forces you to be more precise.”

Precision is the name of the game. “We're trying to arrive at an ‘X’ within a meter,” he says. “The difference of just 10 or 20 feet can drastically affect your direction. There's really no training for that except doing it. Nobody else uses micro-weather like we do.”

But these flights aren't just technical feats — they're breathtaking displays. Watching the balloons lift off in the quiet dawn, framed by the pink and orange hues of a Texas sunrise, is an unforgettable experience.

As I sit down with Zvada the day before the final flight of the competition, a steady stream of fellow pilots and festival-goers pause to shake his hand, offer congratulations and wish him luck. The camaraderie in the air is unmistakable, and though Zvada remains humble, I could tell something special was on the horizon.

Zvada, who was flying a brand-new balloon that he had received days before the race, tells me flying had been smooth that week. This balloon, smaller than his last, used less fuel, was more efficient and held heat better.

All of this plus his years of experience added up to Zvada sitting at first place in the race rankings.

But, as he reminds me, the competition wasn't over yet. And even after decades of flying, the excitement hasn't worn off. “I tend to like more challenging flights,” he says. “Something with a little wrinkle that makes it interesting — where you have to pay attention to the weather and adapt as things change.”

As it turns out, the odds are in Zvada's favor as he goes on to win, claiming not only the title of the 2024 Texas state champion at the Great Texas Balloon Race, but also the Balloon Federation of America national champion. It marked the first time he had won the event, making the victory all the more meaningful.

Balloon Glow and Drone Show

The magic doesn't stop after the early morning competition wraps up. Back at the festival grounds, the celebration continues in the afternoon with shopping, carnival rides and more balloons. The walk-about balloon experience allows visitors to get up close and personal with the massive balloons, talk to pilots, step inside a partially inflated envelope to see what it feels like from the inside, and, for a small additional charge, even go up in a hot air balloon.

One of the best surprises during the festival is the spontaneous scavenger hunt created by the special balloon shapes. Be sure to drive around town and look for the different hot air balloons of all different shapes and sizes. Locals and tourists alike can make a game of finding and taking photos with them.

As the evening sky gets darker, the field transforms again with the famed balloon glow.

At sunset, the tethered balloons light up in a musical sequence, their brilliant colors casting a warm glow over festival attendees. It's a captivating scene, followed by a synchronized drone show. Wrap up the evening by sticking around for a concert after the balloons deflate. Make sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket to throw on the grass for a picnic-style experience.

Looking Skyward

Whether you're an early riser chasing sunrise launches or a night owl mesmerized by glowing balloons and concerts, the Great Texas Balloon Race is a bucket-list experience. It's a place where science meets art, where pilots and spectators alike look skyward and remember what it feels like to dream. Just don't forget to bring your camera!

From floating above the pines to standing in the glow of something magical, Longview delivers wonder at every turn — and a reminder that the sky's not the limit, it's just the beginning.

Attend this Year's Festival

Great Texas Balloon Race

June 10-15

Festival

June 13-14
More info: gtbr.net

Beyond the Balloons

Outside the main event, there's plenty to explore in Longview. When you're ready for a break from balloon chasing, the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center offers the perfect place to relax. Located in the heart of the city, the arboretum is a lush retreat full of vibrant flowers, shaded walking trails and quiet spots to reconnect with nature. It's a welcome contrast to the bustle of the festival and a great way to wind down. If you play your cards right, you might even come across the model balloon display nestled among the flowers.

For those willing to venture a little farther, several Texas state parks can be found in the area, including Martin Creek Lake State Park and Daingerfield State Park. Whether you prefer paddling a kayak, hiking forested trails or just soaking in the scenery, these parks offer the kind of serene beauty that East Texas is known for.

And no travel experience is complete without a good meal full of local flavor. In Longview, Nanny Goat's Cafe & Feed Bin hits the spot. With its quirky charm and hearty Southern fare, it's the kind of place that makes you feel instantly at home.

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