When I arrived at Rancho San Rafael Park, I was greeted by sleepy reporters from across the Truckee-Tahoe and Reno region. Red, tired eyes were scattered throughout the park, cameras in hand, cups of coffee doing their best to keep everyone awake at 5 a.m. We were all there for the Great Reno Balloon Race media preview, and despite the early hour, there was one thing we all had in common: we were absolutely beaming at the chance to fly in a hot air balloon.

As the morning rolled on, the sun slowly crested the horizon, and so did the balloons. Around 14 of them stood across the park, giant sheets of colorful fabric gradually coming to life.

The balloon I would be flying in, Pixel Perfect, was owned and piloted by Greg Nelson. It is a Cameron Z-77 balloon that Nelson designed himself about six years ago. At 77,000 cubic feet, it’s difficult to imagine its size. Nelson offered my favorite comparison: you could fit roughly 77,000 basketballs inside it. The colorful design resembles a giant pixel rainbow floating through the sky.

But before we ever left the ground, what stood out most wasn’t the balloon itself (although it was absolutely stunning), it was the people surrounding it. Nelson’s crew worked together with effortless camaraderie, laughing as they unpacked equipment, checked lines and prepared for flight. Everyone knew exactly what needed to be done.

“Ballooning is a friends-and-family sport,” Nelson told me. “You end up finding your ballooning family, and all of us here are very close.”

Looking around, it was easy to see what he meant. His partner was part of the crew, alongside a student pilot and several experienced balloonists who had come to lend a hand. They joked with each other constantly, making the hours of setup feel more like a family gathering.

Then it was finally time to climb into the basket.

As Nelson released the balloon and we slowly drifted higher, the world below quietly transformed. The neighboring pasture, dotted with horses and sheep, stretched out beneath us. The trees looked softer from above. It’s amazing how changing your perspective by just a few hundred feet can make an entire city feel brand new.

Watching dozens of balloons rise together reminded me why the Great Reno Balloon Race has become such a beloved tradition in the area. The event, now celebrating its 45th year, is the world’s largest free hot air balloon festival. This year’s race will take place Sept. 10–13, marking the first time the festival expands to four days of programming.

Organizers shared several additions during the media preview, including a new Thursday evening schedule featuring the Super Glow Show, Dawn Patrol and Mass Ascension. Nearly 100 balloons are expected to participate, along with new special-shape balloons, expanded student programming, discounted Thursday parking and limited-edition merchandise. Admission remains free, with optional premium experiences like Cloud 9 and balloon rides available for purchase.

But as exciting as those announcements were, they weren’t what I’ll remember most.

When we landed and I stepped out of the basket, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for the opportunity to see the world from such a breathtaking perspective. Grateful for the people who dedicate countless hours to making these balloons fly. And grateful that, every once in a while, my job lets me experience moments that remind me just how beautiful this world can be.