Hot air balloons will make a splash in the Yakima Valley — and river — in Prosser
Hot air balloons will take to the sky this weekend for the 35th Annual Great Prosser Balloon Rally.
The event is Sept. 27-29 at the Port of Benton’s Prosser Airport.
Nineteen colorful balloons are expected to fly with pilots from around the Northwest. Balloons launch each morning at sunrise about 6:45-7:30 a.m., depending on weather conditions.
They drift above the Yakima River, near the Prosser bridge, sometimes dropping down so that their baskets take a dip in the river, a signature move at the festival.
At dusk on Saturday, the popular Night Glow Show is held at Art Fiker Stadium at Prosser High School. Balloons will be anchored, illuminated and synchronized to music. Gates open at 6 p.m. Admission is free for the show.
Parking and admission to the rally is free all weekend. Paid balloon rides are not available.
Visitors are welcome to take photographs from a safe distance. Drones are prohibited around the airport.
Other weekend events include the Harvest Festival, Caren Mercer-Andreasen Street Painting Festival in downtown Prosser and Saturday farmers market.
Visit prosserballoonrally.org for the full schedule.
