The Magic of the Prosser Balloon Rally, with Shara Gibson

Every year, we are proud to sponsor this beloved Prosser event and support our local community. The 2022 Balloon Rally will be held Sept. 23, 24 & 25, and it lifts off right by Chukar Cherries. Parking and admisssion are free! Event times can be found on the Balloon Rally website.

Shara Gibson, a longtime employee and Inside Sales Rep, has been participating in the Rally with her family ever since she was a child - and today is a student pilot and Prosser resident because of it. Her inspiring story is told below.

We invite you to come join us to see some spectacular hot air balloons floating over Prosser and, of course, to enjoy free samples of all of our chocolate covered cherries!

"My Ballooning Family: An Interview with Shara Gibson"

What is your family's involvement with the Balloon Rally?

Both of my parents have been flying in the Great Prosser Balloon Rally since the second or third event. Now, my brother has been involved since he became a pilot. I am a student pilot working on my rating with hopes to get invited to fly in future events. We do a lot of flying for fun as well as instruction flights, making Prosser a hot spot for new pilots in Washington. I have known most of the pilots that fly here my whole life. They are known as my ballooning family. I especially look forward to the rally since it brings us all together for a weekend of non-stop fun around Prosser.

Shara's dad landing in the Chukar parking lot

What does the Balloon Rally mean to you as a resident of Prosser?

I have been attending the Balloon Rally since I was a kid. Every year, my Parents would bring us to Prosser to participate in the rally. We fell in love with this valley, from the air to the ground! As a result, my parents purchased a piece of property in Prosser about 15 years ago. This is where my family would camp during the rally. This is the property my husband and I got married on 9 years ago. Since then, the property next door became available, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. We decided this is the community that we wanted to be a part of. The magic that the Balloon Rally brings to this valley and how much this town accepts our ballooning family is the real draw. You can see that magic on every face on the launch field and it’s amazing to get to share our love of ballooning with all of you who come out to support us.

Do you watch the Rally from Chukar HQ?

I normally watch the rally from up above in a balloon or in a chase rig to help the balloon land safely. However, Chukar is the perfect place to come and watch. Grab your favorite Chukar product and a chair, then you will have a fantastic view (weather permitting) of the balloons with the best products to snack on. It’s also close to a bridge in town where you can watch us come in for what we call a “Splash and Dash” in the river. Don’t forget your camera because it’s a beautiful sight you’ll want to remember. I am so blessed to live in this community and to work for a company that is such a big supporter of my ballooning family and this event.