Fri Jul 17

Riverton Rendezvous, July 17-19, 2015 - UPDATED SCHEDULE

Written by Pitch Engine

Riverton Rendezvous, July 17-19, 2015 - UPDATED SCHEDULE:

Riverton, WY - The Riverton Rendezvous celebrates 35 years this July. Watch 26 balloons take off from the CWC soccer fields around 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. The action happens quickly so get there early. Walk around and see the action up close or bring a lawn chair or blanket. With names like Purple Haze, Feelin’ Groovy and Diamond Eyez you can imagine the dizzying display of colors. The pilots come from all over the US - Texas, New Mexico, Kentucky, Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming.

Didn’t have time for breakfast? Eat pancakes at the Kiwanis Family Breakfast right near the launch field beginning at 6 a.m. Free tethered balloon rides begin at 7 a.m.

Action packed Weekend

There’s plenty to do all weekend and the action starts off Friday evening with the 23^rd Annual Rocky Mountain Rebels Car & Bike Friday Night Cruise from 5-6 p.m. The parade begins at 6 p.m. (in the K-Mart parking lot) and ends on Main St. downtown Riverton for an epic street party with food, shopping, live bands, vendors, and the famous tire burnout contest.

Saturday after the balloon rally head to CWC’s South Lawn for the 23^rd Annual Rocky Mountain Rebels Car & Bike Show Swap Meet and Auto-Cross Racing from 8-4 p.m. (judging starts at 10 a.m.). Get some Redneck BBQ for lunch, or enjoy a polish hotdog and support the Marine Corps scholarship program. There’s plenty for the kids to do at the Rugrat Carnival - bounce houses, water slides and carnival games, with proceeds benefiting the Wind River Avian Rescue.

Make your way to the Wind River Heritage Center for the 4th Annual Festival of the Mountain Man from 10-4 p.m. Enjoy arts, handmade crafts, a costume contest, and a delicious Dutch oven cook-off. The favorite might be the mountain man skills contests, which include trap setting, fire starting, coyote calling and a buffalo pie throw contests.

Finish the evening with the Balloon Glow at the CWC soccer launch field at 8 p.m. and fireworks at Airport Hill at 10 p.m.

Riverton Rendezvous is an action-packed weekend. Load up your family and take in the fun. Bring your lawn chair, camera and sunscreen.

Updated Schedule

 Friday, July 17 

Media Day Balloon Launch 6 a.m. CWC Launch Field, 2660 Peck Ave

 Friday Night Cruise 5-6 p.m. from K-Mart, 1960 N. Federal Blvd. to downtown Main Street

Parade starts 6 p.m. at K-Mart, 1960 N. Federal Blvd.   to downtown Main St.

Street party kicks-off on Main St. from 6 till 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 18

 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 6 a.m. CWC Launch Field 

Balloon Launch 6 a.m. CWC Launch Field 

Tethered Balloon Rides 7 a.m. CWC Launch Field

Car and Bike Show, Swap Meet, Auto Cross Racing 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on the

CWC South Lawn  (judging at 10 a.m.)

Redneck BBQ Festival 10 a.m.-4 p.m. CWC South Lawn 

Wind River Heritage Center Activities 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,1075 S. Federal Blvd. 

Balloon Glow 8 p.m. CWC Launch Field 

Rendezvous Fireworks 10 p.m. Airport Hill

Sunday, July 19 

Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 6 a.m. CWC Launch Field 

Balloon Launch 6 a.m. CWC Launch Field 

Tethered Balloon Rides 7 a.m. CWC Launch Field

For more information:  307-851-6048, 307-856-4801, or patricia.newlin@gmail.com , www.rivertonrendezvous.com

 How it All Started

Riverton Rendezvous began in 1981 when the community was looking for a special event to commemorate its 75th Anniversary. Bob Peck, publisher of the Riverton Ranger at that time, asked his son, George, for ideas and he suggested a balloon rally. The Riverton Rendezvous was born.

Other events were scheduled and soon there was Day in the Park, Rail to Trails Music on the River Walk, Rocky Mountain Rebels Car & Bike show, and the Redneck BBQ.

Some famous people have graced the rally with their presence including Maxie Anderson who was the first balloonist to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the first to attempt an around the world flight. Malcom Forbes brought his ‘Chateau de Balleroy,” a replica of the French Museum in France. This rally continues to be a favorite of hot air balloon pilots because of our stellar weather and the people of Riverton who welcome the pilots each year.

For a complete calendar of events go to www.windriver.org/calendar, or to request a vacation packet, please visit us at Wind River Country or call 800-645-6233.  Keep in touch with Wind River Country

Authors: Pitch Engine