Events
Up, Up and Away
Balloons and a whole lot more are in store for visitors to the 35th annual Walla Walla Hot Air Balloon Stampede.
See Event Schedule
When Jerry Cummins started helping out with the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede in the early 1980s, he turned down several offers for balloon rides. "I was afraid of heights," he says. "I was sure I'd get up there and then panic." Finally, in 1987, one of the Stampede balloonists told Cummins he was going for a ride, and he didn't have a choice.
"It was incredible," says Cummins. "I went home that night and told my wife I wanted to buy a balloon. She said that sounded like fun, and so we did."
Cummins, a long-time Walla Walla City Council member, soon went through the process to become an FAA certified commercial balloon pilot. Over the last two decades, he has traveled throughout the western U.S. to fly in balloon events.
Cummins is the official Balloonmeister for this year's Walla Walla Balloon Stampede, which will be held the weekend of May 8, 9 and 10th at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing all launches and assessing weather conditions to assure that flying is safe. He also wrote the safety regulations for the balloonists. "Safety is our biggest concern at the Balloon Stampede," he says. Cummins was Balloonmeister for several years during the 1990s, and has taken that role back over for the past three years.
The Walla Walla Balloon Stampede is the biggest event put on by the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce each year. It was voted "Best of the Best" special event in Walla Walla for the past two years.
Balloons will launch at 6:30 a.m. all three days during the Stampede, weather permitting. And the Saturday Nite Glow Show will feature tethered balloons glowing in the dark.
But there's a lot more to the stampede than just balloons. Live entertainment will be featured on the Main Stage Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Other events will include:
•Walla Walla Hot Air Classic Golf Tournament
•Classic Car and Cycle Show
•Volleyball Tournament
•Balloonsday Run and Walk
•Pancake Breakfasts Saturday and Sunday mornings
The Balloon Stampede began in 1975, and became a Chamber of Commerce event in the mid 1980s. "This has been an important event for the city of Walla Walla for a long time," says Dave Warkentin, the Chamber's CEO. "The Chamber is committed to making the event a continued success."
Visit the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce Balloon Stampede webpage.
Walla Walla Balloon Stampede
Event Schedule
FRIDAY
6:30 a.m. - Balloon Launches
9:00 a.m. - Golf Tournament
4:30 -7:00 p.m. -
Entertainment on the Main Stage
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. -
Champagne Reception
SATURDAY
6:30 a.m. - Balloon Launches
After Launch to 10:00 a.m. -
Pancake Breakfast
Horse Racing (Pari-mutuel Races All day at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds!)
10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. -
Classic Car & Cycle Show
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. -
Entertainment on the Main Stage
10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. -
Children's Museum
8:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. Volleyball Tournament
9:00 a.m. Balloonsday Run & Walk
10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. -
Altrusa Spelling Bee
Noon - 4:00 p.m. - Meet the Pilots
7:00 p.m. - Nite Glow Show and Fireworks Display
Main Stage Entertainment: Featuring Locust Street Tax
SUNDAY
6:30 a.m. - Balloon Launches
After Launch to 10:00 a.m. -
Pancake Breakfast
Horse Racing (Pari-mutuel Races All day at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds!)
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. -
Children's Museum
Noon - 3:00 p.m. - Main Stage Entertainment: Gospel Finale
Visit the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce Balloon Stampede webpage.