Great Pershing Balloon Derby
great pershing balloon derby hot air balloon festival held labor day weekend near brookfield missouri threeday festival draw balloonist midwest far away florida pacific northwest named honor general john j pershing leader american expeditionary force world war native nearby laclede missouri great pershing balloon derby gpbd recognized longest running continually sanctioned ballooning event u balloon federation america derby first held september october forty balloon launching pershing state park west brookfield originally sponsored organized missouri department natural resource pershing memorial development association held fundraiser pershing museum second year every thereafter derby held labor day weekend third year number balloon participating nearly doubled seventy year two eight derby also held variety temporary location linn county th annual great pershing balloon derby nearly last fundraising sponsorship problem arose however early group balloonist concerned area citizen worked together keep event going formed green hill ballooning inc take derby beginning th year derby permanent home well land provided myron peacher family missouri dnr returned cosponsor well attendance reached peak spectator time period activity added weekend schedule queen contest dance balloonist spectator craft festival th great pershing balloon derby first year sunday night light added schedule event saw th modified myron peacher memorial launch field closed fan friday night south main night flame cancelled derby held myron peacher memorial launch site open field state road ff two mile north u highway brookfield laclede recent year number participating balloon stabilized around fortyfive one highlight south main night flame held downtown brookfield balloonist craft line street night burn derby selected site bfa north central regional championship balloon derby held conjunction many festivity nearby brookfield including beauty contest concert parade flyin north central missouri regional airport launch generally dusk dawn saturday sunday dawn monday labor day night glow usually held sunset sunday evening chamber commerce site