KONGregation of Balloons

KONGregation of Balloons Hot Air Balloon event and competition

Oh yea baby!
06/10/2026

Oh yea baby!

🎈 KONGLOMERATION AT KONGREGATION 2026: THE ULTIMATE FOOD & FLIGHT GUIDE! 🎈Are you ready for the biggest aviation weekend...
06/09/2026

🎈 KONGLOMERATION AT KONGREGATION 2026: THE ULTIMATE FOOD & FLIGHT GUIDE! 🎈

Are you ready for the biggest aviation weekend of the summer? From June 12th–14th, the 5th Anniversary Kongregation of Balloons is returning to Prosser, teaming up with the Prosser Flag and Flight Festival for an unforgettable weekend of flight, food, and community!

We know ballooning works up a massive appetite and your crew work for food, so we have packed the entire weekend schedule with incredible meals, local shopping, and high-flying entertainment.

Here is your official weekend schedule and culinary guide:
🥞 THE PILOT PANCAKE BREAKFAST — ALL THREE DAYS 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM!
You read that right! The massive Pilot Pancake Breakfast is available Friday (June 12), Saturday (June 13), and Sunday (June 14). Come hungry and enjoy a hearty morning meal of fluffy pancakes, eggs, bacon, and more.
• Cost: $10 donation per adult | $7 for kids over 5.
• VIP Diners: Kids under 5 and adults over 100 eat completely FREE!
📅 THE FULL WEEKEND TIMELINE
FRIDAY, JUNE 12TH
• Morning 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Pilot Pancake Breakfast kick-off.
PDF
• 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Friday Pilot Check-In: Stop by for registration and light snacks.
• 7:00 PM — MANDATORY Pilot Briefing: Crucial safety and navigation briefing for the upcoming competition flights.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13TH (PUBLIC FESTIVAL DAY) 🌟
• 5:30 AM – 7:30 AM: Early morning balloon launch and competition day!
• 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Pilot Pancake Breakfast continuous!
• 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM — Prosser Farmers Market (Relocated to the Airport Tarmac!): "The Market With a Heart" is bringing a massive lineup of 46 incredible vendors to browse while airplanes and helicopters fly in and out all day! Come ready to eat and shop local:
o 5 Farmers: Featuring an almond farmer, a honey vendor, fresh-cut flowers, an herb farmer, and a fresh produce farmer.
o 10 Ready-Made Food & Drink Vendors: Serving up hot meals, snacks, and refreshments.
o 3 Wineries: Pouring local favorites.
o Specialty Foods: Pecans, spices, artisan olive oils, and gourmet curry sauces.
o 18 Artisans: Showcasing unique regional crafts and handmade goods.
• 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM — Kids Zone & Aviation Auditorium:
o Kids Zone: Actual and remote-control hot air balloons, drones, games, and the Prosser Library team!
o Auditorium Presentations: Breathtaking flight videos, Brad Schuster (AOPA NW Regional Director) at 11:00 AM, and our spectacular keynote speaker—3-time Navy Blue Angels Commander Greg "Boss" Wooldridge at 1:00 PM!
• All Day: Live commentary by announcer Jim Rasey introducing arriving regional pilots with all types of aircraft coming in and out!
SUNDAY, JUNE 14TH
• 5:30 AM: Private memorial competition flight dedicated to the pilots, crew, and families of the ballooning community to honor our friend Kong and other members of the balloon community we have lost in the past 5 years.
• 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Final Pilot Pancake Breakfast flight wrap-up!
Entry to the public festival grounds on Saturday is completely FREE! Come out to support the ballooning community, eat some incredible local food, and celebrate the spirit of aviation with us. There is a designated parking area for rigs with trailers and crew. For the complete event layout and full public schedule details – come to check in for details on best places to be and stay in touch on this page or the Prosser Flag and Flight Festival page!

We need you! Many balloons are coming to town to fly Friday the 12th, Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th. Are you in ...
06/07/2026

We need you! Many balloons are coming to town to fly Friday the 12th, Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th. Are you in town and available to crew? Super simple to sign up…message ‘I’m in’ or by commenting same. We will send you details.

No experience necessary. Requires early arrival at the Prosser airport (450 AM) and when we are done there will still be plenty of time to enjoy breakfast and get home for your day. If you are coming out Saturday stay and enjoy the aviation and vendors for the Flag and flight festival! So come on - who’s in?!

🎈 THE KONGLOMERATION AT KONGREGATION 2026: EVENT TIMELINE! 🎈The countdown is on for the 5th Anniversary of the Kongregat...
06/02/2026

🎈 THE KONGLOMERATION AT KONGREGATION 2026: EVENT TIMELINE! 🎈

The countdown is on for the 5th Anniversary of the Kongregation of Balloons here in Prosser! Less than 2 weeks and here we go! We are shifting gears into a full-blown "Konglomeration" this year by inviting the public to join us for an incredible aviation showcase on Saturday. You've made your hotel reservations (right?! - details in an earlier post). It's time to map out your weekend with our official 2026 timeline:

FRIDAY, JUNE 12 - Keep your eyes on the skies for early arrivals (weather permitting)!
5:00 AM - Pilot briefing for first 'unofficial' flight of the weekend
5:09 AM - Sunrise
5:10 AM - Group launch
8:00 AM - Breakfast **see notes below
6:00-8:00 PM - Pilot meetup & competition briefing

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 - (PUBLIC EVENT DAY) 🌟Early morning balloon launch! ✈️ Come out for a full public aviation day featuring airplanes, helicopters, guest speakers, and local vendors.
4:50 AM - Pilot/competition briefing (bring aircraft radio or arrange loaner)
5:08 AM - Sunrise
5:10 AM - Group launch
7:00 AM - Targets closed
7:30 AM - Please be out of the air (airplanes & helicopters arriving)
8:00 AM - VFW Color Guard flag raising
8:00 AM - Breakfast at clubhouse **see notes below
8:00 AM - Farmer’s Market opens (at airport)
9:00 AM - Prosser Flag and Flight Festival airplane fly-in
10:00 AM - Kids Zone opens, Auditorium opens
2:00 PM - Vendors depart
4:00 PM - ABC General Meeting at clubhouse - All invited
5:00 -7:00 PM - Potluck at clubhouse (other events around town through the evening including wine tasting at Airfield and a comedy night at the Princess theater, both of who have been a great supporter of this event - you will receive a hand out at check-in Friday night with additional information)

SUNDAY, JUNE 14 - Private memorial flight and fellowship for our attending pilots, crew, and families to honor the lasting legacy of our friend Kong and others we have lost over the past few years.
4:50 AM - Kong memorial
5:08 AM - Sunrise
5:15 AM - Group memorial launch
8:00 AM - Breakfast at clubhouse **see notes below

Different from previous years where you are sent off to fend for yourself, we will have a group onsite all 3 days making breakfast for you and your crew at our American Ballooning Community Clubhouse - 101 Nunn Rd. The clubhouse will be central to much of the happenings over the weekend and we invite you to join us. $10 per adult, $7 for kids 5 and up (children under 5 and adults over 100 eat free!) donation requested for breakfast meals prepared at the clubhouse. A private aviation group is handling these meals and we are very grateful to have something available onsite each day. For those hoping to venture out for food in the community we will have information on that for you also! Saturday potluck dinner is no charge and sponsored by the Port of Benton and Columbia BalloonPort.

We are thrilled to bring this massive celebration of flight to the Prosser Airport. More specific details as we get closer will be shared on several media outlets and a full schedule will be handed out at pilot check in Friday night! 📸 Have questions or want to volunteer during the day on Saturday? Drop us a message here, contact 2026 Balloonmeister Joey Hernandez, or email Mandy at [email protected].

Let’s warm things up and glow! Come join us!!
05/27/2026

Let’s warm things up and glow! Come join us!!

⏰ TIME IS STILL MERCH’G ON! ⏰The clock is ticking! ⏳ It's time to bring out the merch, clear your carts, and lock in you...
05/23/2026

⏰ TIME IS STILL MERCH’G ON! ⏰
The clock is ticking! ⏳ It's time to bring out the merch, clear your carts, and lock in your look.
👉 Order your 2026 Merch today!! https://columbiaballoonport.com/shop/ 🛍️
Don't wait until the last minute—the DEADLINE is this Sunday, May 24th to guarantee your order delivery and pickup before Kongregation!
Get those orders in right now so you're ready to roll. We absolutely cannot wait to see you all fully merchandised up and looking sharp at the big event on June 13th & 14th! 🎈✨
Click, shop, and score yours before time runs out! 👇
https://columbiaballoonport.com/shop/
Pictured items and more are available in the shop!

⏰ TIME IS MERCH’G ON! ⏰The countdown is officially ON and the clock is ticking! ⏳ It's time to bring out the merch, clea...
05/20/2026

⏰ TIME IS MERCH’G ON! ⏰

The countdown is officially ON and the clock is ticking! ⏳ It's time to bring out the merch, clear your carts, and lock in your look.

👉 Order your 2026 Merch today!! https://columbiaballoonport.com/shop/ 🛍️

Don't wait until the last minute—the DEADLINE is this Sunday, May 24th to guarantee your order delivery and pickup before Kongregation!

Get those orders in right now so you're ready to roll. We absolutely cannot wait to see you all fully merchandised up and looking sharp at the big event on June 13th & 14th! 🎈✨

Click, shop, and score yours before time runs out! 👇
https://columbiaballoonport.com/shop/

Pictured items and more available in the shop!

PILOTS! From your Balloonmeister...Kongregation is Back — and This Year It's a Konglomeration! June 13-14, 2026!2026 mar...
04/18/2026

PILOTS! From your Balloonmeister...

Kongregation is Back — and This Year It's a Konglomeration!

June 13-14, 2026!

2026 marks the 5th Anniversary of the Kongregation — a gathering of balloonists from around the country who come together in flight and fellowship to honor the memory of our friend Kong (Jeff Shields). Kong was a man who inspired and supported so many in their ballooning endeavors, and his dedication to the sport lives on in every flight we share in his memory.

Balloons will be flying at sunrise all weekend. Sunday, June 14th will remain our private memorial flight.

So what makes 2026 a Konglomeration? This year we're going bigger. For the first time, we're opening our doors to the public for a full Saturday of aviation on June 13th at Prosser Airport - the Prosser Flag and Flight Festival — an airplane fly-in, helicopters, guest speakers, a farmers market, and of course, balloons...with a Mark Yonker special competition! Propane will be provided by Valley Wide Co-op, a sponsor of the event.

This is an event you truly won't want to miss.

---

PLANNING YOUR STAY

Your first order of business: lock in accommodations! Here are your options:

Camping — If you have a tent, RV, or travel trailer and don't mind dry camping, reach out to us about availability at Hot Air Acres with Mandy and Vic.
For full hookups (electric, water, etc.), Wine Country RV Park in Prosser is a great option — pet friendly, tent sites available, starting at $75/night: winecountryrvpark.com

Hotels — Prosser has two chain hotels, plus a few motels and Airbnbs:

• Best Western Plus – The Inn at Horse Heaven: THIS IS OUR HOST HOTEL! We have a group rate available! Call (509) 786-7977 and mention you want a room from the Prosser Flag and Flight Festival discount block of rooms. You must CALL to get this special rate - $113/Friday, $147/Saturday, $119/Sunday if needed (Online booking rates WILL be higher.) https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-prosser/best-western-plus-the-inn-at-horse-heaven/propertyCode.48121.html

• Holiday Inn Express, Prosser: Book directly through their website. https://www.guestreservations.com/holiday-inn-express-38-suites-prosser-yakima-valley-wine/booking?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=1014862718&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1014862718&gbraid=0AAAAADiMQMbu5i9F8GJpTjkKgyGv413xw&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy_fOBhC6ARIsAHKFB7_xMtL2iBPnK0lXB7QhfXIwmT_aUbRdBoyv-nan4FLM-YhDY2DPCIIaAnFIEALw_wcB&ctTriggered=true

Make your reservation soon — rooms go fast! A schedule of events and more details on what it happening that weekend will be coming next! We can't wait to see you all in Prosser this June.

Warm regards,
Joey Hernandez
Balloonmeister
(206) 450-1747
[email protected]

Not quite ready for orders and here’s a sneak peek! This years shirts are awesome! Am I the only one that can’t wait to ...
04/02/2026

Not quite ready for orders and here’s a sneak peek! This years shirts are awesome! Am I the only one that can’t wait to order? Thank you, Shara your design work is appreciated! 

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Prosser, WA
99350

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