Pirates of the Canyon Balloon Festival

Last updated 3/13/2013

Amarillo Invitational Balloon Rally
"Pirates of the Canyon"


www.piratesofthecanyon.com
www.balloonamarillo.org


In 2006, Chris Jones of Amarillo, Texas re-started the Amarillo Invitational Balloon Rally. Most of the activity was at the Tradwinds Airport in the South East corner of town. The hi-lite of the event was the Sunday morning flight from Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Flying in this rough terrain is not easy. The winds have to be right, or you will end up in areas with absolutely no access. You have to pay attention to details like having enough water for everyone on board, because if your crew can't get to you quickly, it is high-dry desert, and you can dehydrate quickly. Chris Jones organized a great flight, with all of the safety precautions needed. I look forward to going to this festival for years to come.
We flew Fred B. Rabbit Hot Air Balloon at this rally to honor Rusty & BK Elwell who flew in Amarillo for years and were the original owners of Fred B Rabbit. Rusty and BK both passed away the summer of 2006.
In 2007, the rally continued with 21 balloons, much more publicity, and a lot more spectators.
Since then, it is grown into a very popular balloon festival.



2012

We made front page of the Amarillo Globe News

Picture © Jeff Heimsath / Amarillo Globe News


2012 Inflation in the Canyon



Picture from FaceBook


Picture © 2012 Jim Hester


Picture © 2012 Jim Hester


High Wind Landing



Picture © 2012 Jim Hester


Picture © 2012 Tom Weisbrook
www.weisbrookphotography.com/


Picture © 2012 Tom Weisbrook
www.weisbrookphotography.com/


2011

Flight across town, Amarillo, TX Oct 2011

2010

Palo Duro Canyon, Amarillo, TX, Oct 23, 2010

2007

Sunday October 28
20 balloons flew from the canyon Sunday Morning
The canyon was overflowing with spectators.

Wings of Wind right after takeoff



Several Balloons down in the canyon



Boxed back to where we took off



Starting to head out of the canyon, towards Amarillo



Saturday October 27
Several balloons flew across town Saturday evening



Friday October 26
12 balloons flew from the canyon Friday Morning



2006

Keith Sproul / Fred B Rabbit and Joe Jones / Quadnickel about to take off

Picture by Gene Bitner


Quadnickel and Fred B Rabbit right after take off



Picture by Gene Bitner


The rest of the pictures taken by Debbie Sproul from Fred B Rabbit/



Joe Jones / Quadnickel as the sun peaks over the cliff



Rick Schmidt / Snaggletooth lifting off



Once you leave the Canyon, there is nothing for miles



Shawdow of Fred B Rabbit, shortly before landing




"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards,
for there you have been and there you will long to return."
- Leonardo da Vinci




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Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Amarillo, TX Balloon Flight
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Created 10/30/2006
Modified 3/13/2013
© Copyright Keith Sproul
EMail ksproul@skychariot.com