Last updated 7/12/2018
Jump to BottomAmarillo Invitational Balloon Rally |
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. |
2012We 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 Jim Hester |
 Picture © 2012 Tom Weisbrook www.weisbrookphotography.com/ |
 Picture © 2012 Tom Weisbrook www.weisbrookphotography.com |
2011Flight across town, Amarillo, TX Oct 2011 |
2010Palo Duro Canyon, Amarillo, TX, Oct 23, 2010 |
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2007Sunday October 2820 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  |
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Boxed back to where we took off  |
Starting to head out of the canyon, towards Amarillo  |
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Saturday October 27 Several balloons flew across town Saturday evening  |
Friday October 26 12 balloons flew from the canyon Friday Morning  |
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2006Keith 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/  |
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Joe Jones / Quadnickel as the sun peaks over the cliff  |
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Rick Schmidt / Snaggletooth lifting off  |
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Once you leave the Canyon, there is nothing for miles  |
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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
"It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill."
- Wilbur Wright
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away."
- Anonymous
WWW.SKYCHARIOT.COM Home & Schedule
Keith Sproul's Festival History
Scorch the Dragon Hot Air Balloon
Pandy Hot Air Balloon
Tetrahedron Hot Air Balloon
Birthday Cake Hot Air Balloon
Pig Headed Hot Air Balloon
Fred B Rabbit Hot Air Balloon
Meteor Crater Flight
Letchworth State Park, NY Gorge Flights
Shooting the Delaware Water Gap PA/NJ
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Amarillo, TX Balloon Flight
Red Rock Balloon Festival, Gallup, NM
2007 Switzerland Balloon Festival
Dawn Patrol Flights
Chariot Balloons
Keith's Cameron Duo Chaiot
Balloon Flights in 3D
Balloon Parachute Artwork
Balloon Pictures from the Bottom
Red, White & Blue Balloons
Arrow Design Balloons
Flame Design Balloons
Aerostar Aurora Balloons
Parachute Drop Pictures
List of University Balloons
FLIR Balloons Pictures (Infrared heat picture)
Flytec Instruments Info Page
Digitool Instruments Info Page
How to make a Hot Air Balloon
How to make a Tetrahedron Hot Air Balloon
How to put turning vents into a Hot Air Balloon
Mark Sproul's Observatory
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