Great Pershing Balloon Derby

Great Pershing Balloon Derby
A day launch at the 2005 derby.
Begins	Labor Day weekend
Frequency	Annually
Location(s)	near Brookfield, Missouri
Years active	1977 - present
Inaugurated	September, 1977
Website
http://www.pershingballoonderby.com

The Great Pershing Balloon Derby is a hot air balloon festival held each Labor Day weekend near Brookfield, Missouri. The three-day festival draws balloonists from the midwest and as far away as Florida and the Pacific Northwest. It is named in honor of General John J. Pershing, leader of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I and a native of nearby Laclede, Missouri. The Great Pershing Balloon Derby (GPBD) has been recognized as the longest running continually sanctioned ballooning event in the U.S. by the Balloon Federation of America.

The derby was first held from September 30 to October 2, 1977 with forty balloons launching from Pershing State Park west of Brookfield. Originally sponsored and organized by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Pershing Memorial Development Association, it was held as a fundraiser for the Pershing Museum. The second year, and every thereafter, the derby was held over Labor Day weekend. By its third year the number of balloons participating nearly doubled to seventy. In years two through eight the Derby was also held at a variety of temporary locations in Linn County.

The 7th annual Great Pershing Balloon Derby was nearly the last, as fundraising and sponsorship problems arose. However, in early 1984 a group of balloonists and concerned area citizens worked together to keep the event going and formed Green Hills Ballooning Inc. to take over the Derby. Beginning in the 9th year, the Derby had a permanent home as well on land provided by the Myron Peacher family. The Missouri DNR returned as a co-sponsor as well, and by 1986 attendance reached a peak of 14,000 spectators. During this time period more activities were added to the weekend schedule such as a queen contest, dances for balloonists and spectators, and a craft festival. The 17th Great Pershng Balloon Derby was the first year of the Sunday "Night Light" was added to the schedule of events.