The Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Central Market Plano Balloon Festival that was scheduled for September 18-20. In these uncertain times, the Festival board and staff considered the health and safety of Festival attendees, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and pilots a top priority. The Festival is extremely mindful of the large numbers of balloon pilots that come from all areas of the country, attendees drawn from the DFW area and beyond, supportive sponsors and vendors, thousands of volunteers, and on-site contractors. Providing a safe environment for everyone that visits the event is crucial. Safety has been at the forefront of the Festival from the very beginning and that will not change.
Early registration for the Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1K ends March 31st! Sign-up now for the September 19-20 race dates and prepare to go the distance this Fall. On April 1st the registration fees go up just like the hot air balloons that are scheduled each morning as the race begins.
What’s included in your race registration? This epic adventure is a soaring experience that comes with a colorful customized finisher medal, two tickets to the Central Market Plano Balloon Festival, race day parking pass, and a gender specific, short sleeve, dry fit style race shirt.
Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. announces Central Market as the new title sponsor for the annual event set for Sept. 18-20, 2020. The three-day Festival, which began in 1980, has grown into the largest hot air balloon event in Plano and within the Lone Star State. The City of Plano is the Official Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas and hosts more than 90,000 attendees during Festival weekend at Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve.
The Festival and Central Market are both passionate about creating unforgettable experiences for people within the community. Central Market initially stepped in as a sponsor of the Kids Fun Zone, then the Plano Balloon Festival Races, and in 2019 served event attendees fresh food, like their signature grilled cheese sandwiches from a food concession booth at the Festival.
It’s time to aim high for 2020 and soar through the 10 year anniversary of running at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival! Now is the time to get in early and save on race registration for all distances. Sign-up now before these prices fly away. You may select to have your race packet mailed to you during registration for an additional fee of $20.
Officer Chris Bianez with the Plano Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit discusses the upcoming safety at the InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival. If you’re bringing a child to the festival, make sure to get them registered at the gate. They’ll receive an ID bracelet with your cell phone written number on the back. There will be two Lost Child booths on the festival grounds to help reunite parents with any children who may become separated from their families.
“Plano Balloon Festival has something for everyone. Police and Fire personnel will be on hand for your safety and security. If you get a chance stop by our Crime Prevention Booth. We would love to meet you.” Officer Chris Bianez
The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival is celebrating 40 years of ballooning in Plano during the three-day weekend that begins September 20. This annual festival is held in the City of Plano, proudly known as the Official Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas. More than 85,000 guests are expected to attend this 40th birthday party set in Plano’s largest park, the Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve.
“This is our birthday year and we are extremely excited about it! The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival brings in pilots from all around the country and offers our community a low-cost, family fun event. The City of Plano does an outstanding job of supporting this event each year.” says Executive Director, Jo Via.
During the month of September the North Texas Food Bank is collecting regular-sized, plastic jars of peanut butter to help spread hope in Collin County. The InTouch Credit Union Plano Balloon Festival will accept donations at the entrance gates September 20-22, 2019 at Oak Point Park in Plano. Admission is free for kids 36″ and under and $5 for ages 3-12 years.
The goal this year is for the City of Plano to collect 100,000 pounds of peanut butter. There are over 44,000 food insecure children in Collin County. The NTFB will accept peanut butter alternative donations during the food drive.
Local artists will add a splash of more color to our 40th birthday celebration September 20-22 by hosting a “Paint Out” during the three-day weekend. Members of the Plano Art Association, Southwestern Watercolor Society, and Outdoor Painters Society will be painting on-site in a designated tent and they’ll also have pieces on display to browse or buy.
“Be on the lookout for easels and brushes, and several professional artists adding more color to the 40th Birthday Celebration at the Plano Balloon Festival 2019.
The Outdoor Painters Society, Plano Art Association, and Southwestern Watercolor Society will be on the fair grounds for an “en plein air” event. “En Plein Air” is French and, artistically, means painting in the open air.
Artist will have access to the Festival beginning Friday at 4pm. They will be able to paint throughout the day on Saturday (6am – 10pm) as well. On Sunday, the artists will meet in a designated area to display and offer their work for sale. Stop by and meet the artists and cast your vote for the “People’s Choice” award.” — Irma Ward, Outdoor Painters Society, Director of Paint Out Events
The Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon is known for the custom finisher medals and hot air balloons, but has also received a tremendous amount of respect for the volunteers who help set the pace for other runners. The pace team for the 2019 race consists of 66 members of the Craig Ranch Running Club that serve as a pacer, floater or sweeper. Find out more about this dedicated group by visiting their Facebook page.
Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon 2:35 Pace Team
Pace 1:30 Karl Huchthausen, Keith Pierce, Brent Woodle
Pace 1:35 Rachel Warner, Kiley Couch, Jeffrey Christian
Pace 1:40 Kevin Newton, Ray Nichols, Raquel Jimenez
Pace 1:45 Ray Liberatore, Bob Smeby, Zach Shirely
Pace 1:50 Danielle Walker, Brian Hinton, Tuan Nguyen
Pace 1:55 Marcos Vargas, Scott Manis, Rishi Goel
Pace 2:00 Mark Trayer, Aiming Herrington, Meredith Cotton
Pace 2:05 Samantha Sells, Marissa Sifuentes, Jourdan Esquenazi
Pace 2:10 Ankush Bhatia, Jon Cotton, Jessie Anderson
Pace 2:15 John Lawson, Manzoor Mohideen, Tracy Boyd
Pace 2:20 Tim Montano, Sarah Snyder, Ana Fernandez
Pace 2:25 Ed Steinkamp, Glenn Robertson, Melody Ongayo
Pace 2:30 Marissa Zoda, Kristin Vega, Kathy Williams
Pace 2:35 Michael Hutchison, Julia Xia, Michelle Gallagher
Pace 2:40 Victor Salazar, Sandra Trevino, George Villareal
Pace 2:45 Kylar Anderson, Rosalind Buchalski, Mona Sepulevda
Pace 2:50 Bonita Rogers, Johanna Chi, Shana Williams
Pace 2:55 Heather Hutchison, Lynda Tilley, Shilpi Adya
Pace 3:00 Natanja Hunter, Monica Sanders, Susan Forsvall
Pace 3:30 Michelle Ranzer, Alison Moore, Blanca Garcia
Floaters: James Allen, Janice Couch, Jeanette Caballero-Bell, Joe Perez, and Parvinder Ahlawat
Use discount code CRRC to receive 15% off runner registration. Online registration for the Half Marathon closes at 12pm (Noon) on Saturday, September 21, 2019. There is no race day registration available. View the 2019 race shirts and medals that were revealed earlier this summer.
Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon 2:05 Pace Team
Race fees go up at midnight on August 31!! Missed the early registration pricing? Don’t labor over it because we’ve got one final discount deal. Use code: PBFLABORDAY during the Labor Day holiday valid September 1 through September 3 and receive $5 off all distances. Click here to sign up.
We also have two reminders that runners need to know! First, if you would like to order the packet pick up mailing, the deadline to do so is 11:59 PM on Saturday, August 31st. To add it, and manage your registration, simply click the link in your email confirmation that reads Manage My Registration or you can:
1. Login at www.runsignup.com
2. Select Profile from the drop down menu in the upper right corner
3. Find your PBF registration and click Manage My Registration
4. From the left side navigation select Add Ons and follow the prompts
5. Bonus, also on the left side navigation you can Transfer Events, meaning you can upgrade or downgrade your distance using this feature
6. Bonus Two, also on the left side navigation you can manage your Give Away, meaning you can switch shirt sizes using this feature
7. Bonus Three, also on the left side navigation you can Transfer To Another Runner, meaning, you can transfer your race entry to someone else (at no charge), using this feature
Second, there is no race day packet pick up. A friend or family member may pick up for you, we just ask that they have your email confirmation. Here are the all of the upcoming packet pick up dates, times and locations:
• Saturday, September 7th, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Rahr & Sons Brewery, 701 Galveston Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104
• Saturday, September 14th, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Academy Sports + Outdoors, 1101 West Arbook Blvd., Arlington, TX 76015
• Thursday, September 19th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Academy Sports + Outdoors, 6375 E. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75231
• Friday, September 20th, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Plano Event Center | Spring Glade Room (east side of building), 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074
• Saturday, September 21st, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Plano Event Center | Spring Glade Room (east side of building), 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074
.jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false){kind=logo}
.jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false){kind=logo}
.jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
.jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
.jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
.jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
.png&w=600&h=0&bw=false){kind=logo}
.png&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
(2).png&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
(1).png&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
(2).png&w=600&h=0&bw=false){kind=logo}
.jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
(1).png&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
.jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false){kind=logo}
.png&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
(1).jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
.jpg&w=600&h=0&bw=false)
.png&w=600&h=0&bw=false){kind=logo}