Hot Air for Hope extends beyond Douglas County

Throughout April and May Hot Air for Hope kicked off its third annual balloon festival with its community outreach program at Douglas County schools, homeschool students, and even extended to Carson City schools, getting the community excited about the festival scheduled for May 16-18.

“We really wanted to reach beyond Douglas County and educate surrounding communities about Hot Air For Hope,” said Carson Valley Balloon Festival Board of Directors Vice President and Event Director Amanda Johnson.

The Hot Air for Hope committee and balloon pilots visited schools across the district including Meneley, Piñon Hills, Gardnerville, Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School and Carson Valley Middle school and this year, the group extended previews to Carson City Schools including Empire Elementary School, Fritsch Elementary School and Carson High School.

Empire Elementary School Assistant Principal Nathan Brigham said the school is always open to giving the students new experiences and they were pleased to bring the Hot Air for Hope preview to Empire.

“Some of the kids said this is the best thing they have ever seen,” said Brigham. “Because of the demographics some of these kids have never seen anything like this.”

During the school presentations Tracy Nelson, also known as Professor B Loon, gave a history of ballooning, and explained how balloons fly, while a pilot and team demonstrated the process live.

“It’s really cool that they share this with all of the schools,” said Douglas County resident Haley Simpson during the homeschool preview. “We have attended the Hot Air For Hope Festival, but this is our first time being at the outreach preview and it’s really cool to incorporate it into our homeschool curriculmn.”

Part of the outreach program, the Hot Air For Hope website has a page dedicated to teachers, parents, and student material including, history, science projects, books, how to make a hot air balloon, and more.

Johnson said the purpose of the community outreach and school demonstrations is to get kids excited about balloons and to encourage the community to support the event.

“This year there has been a lot excitement for the festival,” she said. “In its third year now, it’s become expected and looked forward to.”

Hot Air for Hope is a free event that brings hot air balloons up close in the Carson Valley while benefiting the Douglas Center for Hope and Healing.

Douglas Center for Hope and healing has been providing counseling and support groups for grieving children, teens, and adults since 2008.

This year’s event is presented by Carson Tahoe Health with sponsors including Comstock Propane; Co-Competition Sponsor, The Great Reno Balloon Races; Special Shape Balloon Sponsor, Country Financial, and more. Special thanks to The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, East For Fire Protection District, Minden Lawyers, Carson Valley Nevada, Main Street Gardnerville.

For more information a schedule of events visit https://www.hotairforhope.com/ or follow Hot Air for Hope-Carson Valley Balloon Festival on Facebook and Instagram.

Poster Contest winners

Grand Prize Winner: Talia Hastings Minden Elementary School fifth grader

Winners by school: 

Gardnerville Elementary School

First: Kristian G.

Second: Kathryn H.

C.C. Meneley Elementary School

First: River K

Second: Jordyn R.

Jacks Valley Elementary School 

First: Leo R.

Second: Julian R.

Piñion Hills Elementary School

First: Hannah M.

Second: Rudy L.

Zephyr Cove Elementary School

First: Kaleb M.

Second: Maya 

Minden Elementary School

First: Alana S.

Second: Hannah S.

Scarselli Elementary School

First: Desire C.

Second: Helene W.