Great Wellsville Balloon Rally

July 15 - July 17, 2011

Island Park
Wellsville, NY United States
3rd weekend July
Number of balloons: 50

Before there was a balloon rally, the only aviation activity was an annual Fly-In Breakfast sponsored by the Wellsville Aviation Club. We would clear out one of the hangers at the airport, put up folding tables and chairs and prepare a great breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, etc.

Pilots from Western NY and NW PA would fly in for the breakfast and have a great time eating and swapping stories with their fellow aviators.

Ray Stevens brought up the idea of putting together a small air show, and everyone said, go for it. He did and the result was the Great Wellsville Air Show. The show was a big success, filling the airport with spectators.

Where did the name of the air show come from? At the time there was a popular movie, staring Robert Redford, called, "The Great Waldo Pepper". It was about a barnstorming pilot. Really brought to mind the exciting days of early aviation.

He liked the name and decided to call the air show, The Great Wellsville Air Show.

During one of the air shows, George Lewis, who is married to one of John Embser’s sisters (Embser’s Funeral Home), approached Ray and asked how he would like to include some balloons in the air show.

WOW, what a great idea, Ray jumped at the opportunity. George was a balloonist and had several ballooning friends he talked into attending the air show.

It then became the Great Wellsville Air Show and Balloon Rally.

From The North (Buffalo Area):
400 South to its end (Route 16). Continue on 16 through Holland, Wales, Sardinia past Earl's Restaurant to 4 corners. Turn left onto Route 39 South. Continue until 39 veers right. Don't go right, stay on the road which now becomes Route 243. Stay until it ends (past Rushford). At stop sign turn right onto Route 19 South into Wellsville (approximately 20 miles). To access free parking and shuttle service from the village, look for shuttle parking signs. Follow signs to the Rally.

From The North (Rochester Area):
Take 390 South to Exit 4 Dansville/Route 36. Turn right onto 36 and follow through Arkport. Take I-86 West towards Jamestown. Take the first exit - Route 21 Andover/Almond/Alfred. Turn right at end of exit and continue to stoplight. Turn right onto Route 21. Continue till it ends. Turn right onto Route 417 West and continue for 7 miles to Wellsville. Follow signs to the Rally.balloon04

From The West (Jamestown or Olean):
Take I-86 East to Wellsville exit. Turn Right onto Route 19 South. Continue to Wellsville (you will pass Belmont and Scio). To access free parking and shuttle service from the village, look for shuttle parking signs. Follow signs to the Rally.

From The East (Corning or Binghamton):
Take I-86 West towards Jamestown. Take the exit for Route 21 Andover/Almond/Alfred. Turn right at end of exit and continue to stoplight. Turn right onto Route 21. Continue till it ends. Turn right onto Route 417 West and continue for 7 miles to Wellsville. To access free parking and shuttle service from the village, look for shuttle parking signs. Follow signs to the Rally.

Web Site: http://www.wellsvilleballoonrally.com
Brad Thompson
(585) 593-4623
Email: thompsbj at verizon dot net