Prosser revs up for hot air balloons, sidewalk painting and harvest festival
The 34th Annual Great Prosser Balloon Rally and the Harvest Festival is this weekend.
Organizers expect 21 balloons to participate in the rally, which takes place Friday through Sunday at the Prosser Airport. The rally coincides with the annual Harvest Festival in downtown.
Anyone can come watch the sunrise balloon launches from 6:45-7:30 a.m. each morning (weather permitting), but balloon rides are not available for sale.
The hot air balloons fly along the Yakima River, near the Prosser bridge.
Spectators are welcome to take photographs from a safe distance. Drones are prohibited around the airport.
Here’s what to expect in Prosser this weekend:
Friday, Sept. 22
Balloonists will prepare to launch from the Prosser Airport starting about 6:30 a.m. Rally memorabilia will be for sale at the Harvest Festival in downtown Prosser.
Harvest Festival hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be vendors, arts and crafts and entertainment, as well as a chalk art event.
Saturday, Sept. 23
Balloonists will begin preparing to launch from the airport at 6 a.m. and will take off at sunrise.
West Benton Fire Rescue Firefighters Association holds its annual biscuits and gravy fundraiser starting at 6 a.m. at Station 310 in Prosser. Biscuits and gravy are $6. Sausage links cost another dollar and coffee is by donation.
The Caren Mercer-Andreasen Street Painting Festival takes place during the Harvest Festival, which runs 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
The day wraps with the Night Glow event featuring some of the colorful hot air balloons tethered at Art Fiker Stadium for a show filled with lights and music. Gates open at 6 p.m., event begins at 6:30 p.m. Attendance is free.
Sunday, Sept. 23
Balloonists will again begin preparing to launch from the airport at 6 a.m. and will take off at sunrise.
West Benton Fire Rescue Firefighters Association continues its biscuits and gravy fundraiser starting at 6 a.m.
The Harvest Festival is 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.
Go to prosserballoonrally.org for schedule information.
This story was originally published September 21, 2023 at 5:00 AM.