Longview Texas earned the official designation as "The Balloon Capital of Texas" by the Governor of Texas in 1985. This year's Great Texas Balloon Race has just concluded and it was by far the best ever. This year is the first time to host the U.S National Championships which drew the best of the best balloon pilots in the country. For one week both the National and Great Texas contest occurred and despite a few canceled days due to weather issues, all appeared to go very well. We owe a great debt of gratitude to all the combined efforts which are necessary to put this major event together each year and especially to host the nationals through 2014. Thank you all who made it possible.