Great Prosser Balloon Rally

View on map
Sports & AdventureProsser
Dates25–27 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe rally's identity rests on a single
Language["en"]Currency: USD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Great Prosser Balloon Rally in Prosser

The Great Prosser Balloon Rally began in 1991 after pilot Ted Wirch flew over Prosser, Washington to give his in-laws a ride and decided other balloonists needed to see the Yakima River valley from the air. What started with eleven balloons has grown into a free, family-friendly September weekend of dawn launches and evening balloon glows over the town's vineyards.

Balloon pilot Ted Wirch came to Prosser, Washington in 1991 to give his in-laws a ride, and the view from that single flight over the Yakima River convinced him other balloonists needed to see it too.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The rally's identity rests on a single decision by one pilot: Ted Wirch's 1991 flight convinced him Prosser's flat terrain and river corridor offered exceptional conditions for ballooning, and he recruited other pilots to fly there

02

The mystery stays covered

Dawn mass ascensions remain the highlight, with balloons launching from open fields and drifting low over the Yakima River and surrounding vineyards, giving spectators an unusually close view without needing a grandstand ticket, since the event has stayed free since its founding

03

The city starts moving

Evening balloon glows, where tethered balloons light up after dark, extend the spectacle into a second daily viewing window during the weekend

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The dawn mass ascension

Water and renewal

Living ritual

with dozens of balloons launching in sequence from open fields

The sacred route

Living ritual

has been the rally's core ritual since 1991 and gives the event its visual signature over the Yakima Valley

The local code

Living ritual

Evening balloon glows

Tradition 5

Living ritual

where crews light their burners after dark to illuminate the fabric from inside

Tradition 6

Living ritual

have become the weekend's complementary tradition

Tradition 7

Living ritual

drawing crowds who cannot make the early sunrise launch

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

25–27 September 2026

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Dress warmly for dawn launches, since September mornings in the Yakima Valley can be cold before the sun is fully up, even though afternoons warm considerably. Closed-toe shoes suit the open...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["en"] · USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map46.21 N, 119.77 WOpen in Google Maps

Prosser, United States

TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Prosser via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Prosser, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearDress warmly for dawn launches, since September mornings in the Yakima Valley can be cold before the sun is fully up, even though afternoons warm considerably. Closed-toe shoes suit the open field terrain, and layers let you adjust as the temperature climbs through the morning.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Great Prosser Balloon Rally?

Great Prosser Balloon Rally is listed for 25–27 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Great Prosser Balloon Rally take place?

The festival is listed in Prosser, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Prosser, United States

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLprosserballoonrally.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates25–27 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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