Maggie and Cody Simmons of Longview take a selfie June 16, 2023, during the balloon glow at the Great Texas Balloon Race in Longview. (Les Hassell/Longview News-Journal File Photo)

The already jam-packed schedule for the upcoming Great Texas Balloon Race in Longview will have even more to offer: a fresh, flying spectacle.

“We have something big and new — a drone show,” said Gai Bennett, this year’s balloon race co-chair. “Immediately following the balloon glow on Friday evening, 300 drones will take flight and present graphic displays in the air.”

Bennett said the drones were introduced this year for two reasons.

“One, we’re always looking for something new to keep our guests interested, and two, the drones are more impervious to weather conditions that would otherwise ground the balloon glow,” she said.

The week-long festival again will host the U.S. Nationals Hot Air Balloon Championship, which challenges the top qualifying pilots from around the country to steer their craft to precise altitudes, drop bean bags onto designated targets and race the clock.

Beginning at 6:30 a.m. June 10 and continuing at the same time each day through June 16, pro-balloonists can be seen hunting for air currents above Longview as they compete in scored events.

“You can think of it as the world series of ballooning,” Bennett said.

But she warned that flights could be delayed or canceled if weather conditions aren’t safe.

Race organizers have an online status check at gtbr.net/festival-status-page to keep track of any event delays or cancellations.

Friday through Sunday,

Great Texas Balloon Race pilots and Young Guns (pilots ages 28 and younger) will join in June 14 through 16 for their own competitions.

Special shape balloons are making a return this year with static inflations distributed across Longview. Keep an eye out the morning of June 14 and 15 for a chance to see the Koola Koala, Tiny the Fire Dog or Bandit Raccoon balloons around the city.

Four remote-controlled model balloons will bob above the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center on the morning of June 15 for anyone interested in seeing a miniaturized version of normal-sized hot air balloon.

Gates open at 4 p.m. June 14 and 15 at the Longview Convention Complex, where guests can park and purchase tickets. Tickets also are available at gtbr.net/buy-tickets/ .

The convention complex will feature four live music acts — two on each night — as well as food and drink vendors, arts and craft stalls and a Kids Land.

“For an extra $5, kids can play in a fenced area with activities, bounce houses and a lot of other fun stuff,” Bennett said.

Visitors to the complex June 14 and 15 can get a taste of what it’s like to float above Earth with a tethered balloon ride where balloons lift 30 feet above the ground beginning at 7 p.m. each night. The popular balloon glow is set to begin at 8:50 p.m. both nights, weather permitting, followed by the drone show.

For schedule information and more, go to gtbr.net/ .

Balloon week schedule

MONDAY-THURSDAY

6:30 a.m.: US. Nationals Hot Air Balloon Championship competition flight over Longview

FRIDAY

6:30 a.m.: Great Texas Balloon Race, Young Guns and U.S. Nationals competition flight over Longview

7 a.m.: Special shapes and model balloon static inflation

4 p.m.: Gates open at Longview Convention Complex

6:30 p.m.: Jenn Ford & the Wide Eyed Devils in concert

6:30-8:30 p.m.: Walk-about balloon experience

7 p.m.: Tethered balloon rides

8:15 p.m.: Special shapes spectacular

8:45 p.m.: GTBR opening ceremony

8:50 p.m.: Balloon glow followed by drone show

9:30 p.m.: The Hollow Decks concert

Midnight: Gates close for the day

SATURDAY

6:30 a.m.: Great Texas Balloon Race, Young Guns and U.S. Nationals competition flight over Longview

7 a.m.: Special shapes and model balloon static inflation

4 p.m.: Gates open at Longview Convention Complex

6:30 p.m.: Daniel Bradbery in concert

6:30-8:30 p.m.: Walk-about balloon experience

7 p.m.: Tethered balloon rides

8:15 p.m.: Special shapes spectacular

8:45 p.m.: GTBR opening ceremony

8:50 p.m.: Balloon glow followed by drone show

9:30 p.m.: Mark Wills concert

Midnight: Gates close for the day

SUNDAY

6:30 a.m.: Great Texas Balloon Race, Young Guns and U.S. Nationals competition flight over Longview