Paddle Prosser, Washington on the Yakima River Kayak Canoe Paddle Board

09/26/2024

Walla Walla Balloon Pilot Justin Anderson

Our final pilot post for this year's event goes to another first time Great Prosser Balloon Rally pilot who we are exited to have join us this year!

Pilot Name: Justin Anderson
Home: Walla Walla, WA
Balloon Name: Sea Breeze
Sponsor: Fun Flyer

This is Justin’s first year in Prosser and he is excited to be here! Justin started ballooning as chase crew back in 1998. Pursuing the passion of ballooning and flight, Justin recently achieved his own Pilot certificate with the help and support of several of the pilots attending the event. Justin’s balloon has flown in Prosser for the last 8 years by its former owner Cheryl Issacs!

09/25/2024

09/25/2024

Crescent Kayaks are fantastic on the Yakima River

The difference a pad kit makes! Free now with every purchase of a Crescent Kayak through Labor Day. Redeem with proof of purchase to [email protected]

09/25/2024

Paddling on the Yakima River

Confluence Outdoor

09/25/2024

Only 2 days away from Friday's Morning Start of the Great Prosser Balloon Rally

Pilot Name: Ryan & Jessica Geib
Home: Seattle, WA
Balloon Name: Sunny Rainbow
Sponsors: Fun Flyer

Jessica fell in love with ballooning while teaching in Gallup, NM. Her best friend dragged her out Saturday morning to the 2015 Red Rock Balloon Rally. Jessica is NOT a morning person, so when she was up extra early that Sunday morning, way earlier than she needed to be to go crew, Jessica knew she had found something she is really passionate about. Jessica began her journey as a student pilot that very next spring and bought her beautiful balloon Sunny Rainbow in summer 2017. Life as a teacher is challenging and extremely busy, so it wasn't until a few years after moving home to the Pacific Northwest, that with the help of her husband Ryan, the amazing Mandy Johnson, and all of her wonderful PNW balloon family, Jessica finally got her private pilot certificate! Jessica loves flying, but her favorite part of ballooning is getting to spend time with her ever expanding balloon family! Ryan and Jessica's balloon is a 1991 Aerostar RX-8 flown over a very unique CWE basket made by Raven Europe.

We think Jessica's love of ballooning has rubbed off on Ryan as her husband joins her this year as a pilot! Welcome Ryan!

09/24/2024

How cool is this Hot Air Balloon

Pilot Name: David Wiser
Home: Kent, WA
Balloon Name: Fruit Flies
Sponsor: Prosser Animal Hospital

Dave has been a private pilot for a couple of years, but is not new to ballooning having crewed for many years. He is based in the Seattle area but loves traveling with his wife to many ballooning events. He was introduced to ballooning by Vic and Mandy Johnson and loves the family atmosphere in the ballooning world. Soon after deciding to become a pilot, a beautiful balloon became available and Dave and his wife, Sandy, purchased it immediately. “Fruit Flies” is a 105,000 cubic foot balloon manufactured by Aerostar. You’ll enjoy watching the fruit soar over your head.

09/23/2024

Balloon Pilot Dale

Pilot Name: Dale Justice
Home: Newberg, OR
Balloon Name: La Jolla (pronounced "La Hoya")
Sponsor: The Great Prosser Balloon Rally

Dale has been around hot air balloons for over 40 years. He started his pilot training in 1984. He completed the requirements and passed his Private tests 25 years later, in 2009. He never gave up the dream of being a pilot during that time. He has flown around the Willamette Valley and at dozens of balloon rallies in the Northwest. He passed his Commercial rating tests and received the "Aeronaut of the Year" award from the Willamette Aerostat Society in 2015. For Dale, giving others the thrill of flying in a balloon is a great pleasure. Often, it is their first flight, and one they will always remember. Dale also takes many pictures at balloon events and the pictures are always appreciated by fellow balloonatics.

09/22/2024

Happy SUNday!

I usually try to do these photos with a sun disk in the shot, but this one has a canoe, and I love photographing my canoes at sunrise and sunset.

09/22/2024

Pilot Name: Tim Gale
Home: Albany, OR
Balloon Name: Knight-N-Gale
Sponsor: Port of Benton

Tim & Shari started for fun, then ran a weekend ride business in the 1980’s. Activities since then have been mostly for fun flying and organized events such as The Great Prosser Balloon Rally. Also been active in balloon safety education and Shari has been the editor for the Willamette Aerostat Society newsletter for many years. They have taken three generations of the Montgolfier family, the very same family that started hot air balloons in 1783. Tim has a penchant for water dipping, known as splash & dash & Prosser is one of the great opportunities.

Tim is our Balloon Meister this year for the Great Prosser Balloon Rally!

09/21/2024

Pilot Name: Devin White
Home: Walla Walla, WA
Balloon Name: Spectra
Sponsor: Prosser Memorial Health

Ballooning has always been a family affair for Devin. His family began supporting balloonists as ground crew over 25 years ago. Today he shares the title "pilot" with both his mother and brother. Devin enjoys sharing his love of ballooning with the communities he flies in and can't wait to help paint the skies over Prosser!

09/21/2024

Pilot Name: Luke Cesnik
Home: St. Cloud, MN
Balloon Name: Freedom Flight V
Sponsor: Chukar Cherries

Luke started flying when he was 15 & after a stint in the Air Force he used the GI bill to get his Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine & Flight Instructors Rating. He has been flying for over 50 years. Luke took his 1st balloon ride in 1990 & decided he could do this too. After flying balloons for around 30 years he has many wonderful memories, but one really stands out to him as one of the best. The time he flew the Pilot and Navigator from the same B-52 that was shot down over Hanoi during the Vietnam War. They were the only ones who survived & they were both captured & held as POW’s at the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison camp & here they were many years later in the POW balloon with him as they dedicated the flight to the ones they lost that day when they were shot down. Another flight that stands out is when he got to see the snow fall UP. He was flying in Hudson, WI and while they were flying it began to snow huge flakes & the visibility started to come down so he picked a good place to land & began his decent and as he did, they began descending faster than the snow was falling & it looked like the snow was falling up. One of the passengers said that she felt like she was in a snow globe and said it was like floating in a dream.

Freedom Flight V is part of Freedom Flight, Inc. a non-profit, educational corporation established in 1988, that seeks to honor and increase the awareness of P.O.W./M.I.A. issues. The organization is made up of dedicated volunteers who give their time, talent and money to fly three POW/MIA hot air balloons at various events across America and the world.

09/20/2024

Fun events in Prosser

Fall in Prosser Wine Country! WHAT'S HAPPENING in and around Prosser   Harvest Festival September 27th-29th. The Harvest Festival returns in Historic Downtown Prosser. Stroll downtown enjoying Enterta

09/20/2024

1 Week away from the Great Prosser Balloon Rally
Friday 7am
Saturday 7am
Sunday 7am winds can cancel flights if it's not ideal

09/18/2024

Paddlers

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

09/18/2024

Wine Crush season is underway!!

Fall in Prosser Wine Country! WHAT'S HAPPENING in and around Prosser   Live Music Friday with Andru Gomez Friday, September 13th, 5pm-7pm. Desert Wind Winery. Armed with no more than a guitar, a harmo

09/18/2024

Countdown is on!!

09/13/2024

The 35th Annual Great Prosser Balloon Rally will be Sept. 27-29, 2024. All events weather permitting.

09/13/2024

Less than 2 Friday's away!! SEPT 27-29

09/11/2024

Make paddling a breeze with the Osprey series. With superior tracking, stability, and a spacious design, the Osprey is ready for any adventure, big or small. 🌊

09/09/2024

Official Poster for the 35th Annual Great Prosser Balloon Rally! The winning photo from last years photo contest taken by Dixie Jimenez made for a stunning backdrop for this years poster! Did you know we have posters available at the Rally event each year at the memorabilia tent? And if you are a local business that would like to show off this years poster, please feel free to message us and we will be sure to get a poster delivered!

09/08/2024

Free Shipping Available