Balloons Over Brookings

05/28/2026

We’re excited to introduce Robb Johnson of Council Bluffs, Iowa as another pilot for Balloons Over Brookings.

Robb grew up in Indianola, Iowa - home of the National Balloon Museum - in the 1970s and early 1980s, and his love for hot air balloons started young after being introduced to them by his uncle. That early spark stuck with him, and he has loved balloons ever since.

Robb works at USSTRATCOM at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and enjoys flying his Aerostar balloon, "Jokers Wild." For those outside the ballooning world, Aerostar is a balloon brand with strong South Dakota roots, which makes that detail especially fun for our event.

We’re glad to have Robb coming to Brookings this July. 🎈

05/25/2026

We’re proud to welcome Dacotah Bank as a Gold Sponsor of Balloons Over Brookings.

We’re grateful for businesses like Dacotah Bank that invest in the people, organizations, and communities that help Brookings thrive. Their support means a great deal as we continue working to bring something special to town.

Thank you, Dacotah Bank, for supporting Balloons Over Brookings. 🎈

05/21/2026

We’re excited to introduce Corey Gwin of Hot Springs, South Dakota, as another pilot for Balloons Over Brookings.

Corey’s journey into ballooning started on the ground, chasing balloons, packing envelopes, and learning the ropes as a crew member for three years before moving into the pilot’s seat. For the past five years, he has been flying hot air balloons wherever the wind takes him, from peaceful sunrise flights to colorful festival skies.

Whether he’s lifting off with first-time flyers or swapping stories with fellow pilots, Corey brings a spirit of adventure and a deep love for ballooning to every flight. We’re glad he’ll be bringing "PLMLOCO" to Brookings this July. 🎈

05/20/2026

We’re proud to welcome Kibble Equipment of Brookings as a Gold Sponsor of Balloons Over Brookings.

Kibble Equipment is a well-known part of the Brookings and regional ag community, and we’re grateful for their support of this event. Businesses like Kibble help serve the people who keep this area working, and we’re thankful to have them helping support something new for Brookings.

Thank you, Kibble Equipment, for being part of Balloons Over Brookings.

05/20/2026

Get your cameras ready — Balloons Over Brookings is coming July 17–19, 2026.

We’re looking forward to a weekend of colorful skies, memorable moments, and the kind of sights you’ll want to send straight to the family chat.

Follow Balloons Over Brookings for a preview of attending pilots, sponsor highlights, and other event updates — then share this post with someone who should have this weekend on their calendar.

05/14/2026

We’re excited to introduce another pilot for Balloons Over Brookings: Alex Augustad of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Alex wears a lot of hats — plumber, UPS package handler, and lighter-than-air pilot — and brings with him a strong support team that includes his wife, two boys, friends, and family. He shared that ballooning has taught him patience and how much it matters to rely on a team.

One of the things Alex enjoys most is using his balloon to give back to the community. Seeing people get excited and helping offer them a new experience is a big part of what makes ballooning meaningful to him.

We’re glad to have Alex as part of Balloons Over Brookings. 🎈

05/11/2026

We’re proud to welcome Hefty Seed Company as a Gold Sponsor of Balloons Over Brookings.

We’re grateful for businesses like Hefty Seed Company that are so closely connected to agriculture and to the communities that make South Dakota strong. Their support means a great deal as we work to bring something special to Brookings.

Thank you, Hefty Seed Company, for supporting Balloons Over Brookings. 🎈

05/07/2026

We’re excited to introduce John Bullock of Wausau, Wisconsin as the first out-of-state pilot for Balloons Over Brookings.

John has been flying hot air balloons since 2005 and works as a Safety Specialist with the Federal Railroad Administration. Over the years, he has participated in many rallies, though he especially enjoys flying locally with friends and family. He also has two grown children who aspire to become pilots one day. We’re glad he’ll be bringing "Lux Solaris" to Brookings this July.

Welcome, John! 🎈

05/05/2026

We’re very excited to share that Balloons Over Brookings is one of the events selected for a Travel South Dakota TAP grant.

This support is a big encouragement as we work to launch something new for Brookings this year — with the hope of building an event the community can enjoy for years to come.

There is still opportunity for local businesses, organizations, and “friends of balloons” to partner with us for 2026. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, this event is being built through community support. If you would like to be part of it, we’d love to connect.

Thank you to everyone already cheering this on.

This grant is going to smaller events around the state, including another motorcycle party that has grown in popularity over the years, and they just got an $8,000 grant to help promote the event.

Story >> https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2026/05/05/state-provides-200k-grants-promote-small-town-tourism/