37 years of looking up
A rally born from the view
One pilot saw the beauty of flying over Prosser—and imagined a sky shared with many more.
The beginning
A 1991 flight changed the horizon
Balloon pilot Ted Wirch came to Prosser to give his in-laws a balloon ride. From above, he saw the Yakima River, orchards, vineyards, and Horse Heaven Hills—and knew other balloonists should see it too.
At the first official Great Prosser Balloon Rally, eleven hot air balloons graced the sky. Today, the nonprofit event is still run by a small group of dedicated volunteers who work year-round to bring the rally to Prosser.
Historic photo: Dawn Koch
“A small town, a wide valley, and a tradition that asks everyone to look up together.”
Milestones
The story so far
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The view that started it
Ted Wirch’s flight over Prosser sparks the idea of inviting other balloonists.
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Eleven balloons
The first official rally fills the Prosser sky with color.
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A community tradition grows
Sunrise launches, Night Glow, pilots, sponsors, and volunteers become part of rally weekend.
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37th annual rally
September 25–27, with free admission and parking.
Help write the next chapter
Volunteer, support the rally, or help preserve its archive.