The Sullair Hot Air Balloon, flown by long-time balloon pilot Shawn Raya, has been a mainstay in dozens of events and competitions around the globe — carrying the Sullair brand far and wide. Now, after 15 successful years, the time has come for the Sullair balloon to celebrate its farewell season.
Over the years, Shawn has competed in numerous competitions that test his skills in distance, speed, and navigational precision, collecting multiple victories at the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Balloon Race, a Great Lakes Regional Championship, and a top 50 finish at the 2016 World Hot Air Balloon Championship in Saga, Japan. Shawn has consistently been a top 10 balloonist in the U.S., and we are grateful for his time as our pilot.
This summer, the Sullair Balloon is taking off for one last season of competition before its retirement, ending with the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta from October 5 – 13. If you have the chance, visit an event to see the Sullair balloon one last time, and be sure to send any photos and videos of the Sullair balloon to mailto:marketing@sullair.com.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Shawn for his many years of dedication, and for serving as such a great brand ambassador for Sullair. We wish him the best of luck in the upcoming competitions, and look forward to seeing the Sullair balloon fly for one last season!
2024 Flight Schedule†
| Event | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Derby Great BalloonFest | April 25 - 27 | Louisville, KY |
| Balloons Over Bavarian Inn | May 24 – 27 | Frankenmuth, MI |
| Carson City Frontier Days—Hot Air Balloon Shootout | May 31 – June 2 | Carson City, MI |
| Great Texas Balloon Race/US National Hot Air Balloon Championship | June 10 – 16 | Longview, TX |
| Michigan Challenge Balloonfest | June 28 – 30 | Howell, MI |
| Battle Creek Field of Flight | July 3 – 7 | Battle Creek, MI |
| Angola Balloons Aloft | July 12 - 13 | Angola, IN |
| The Ohio Challenge | July 19 - 20 | Middletown, OH |
| Sandy Balloon Festival | August 9 – 10 | Sandy City, UT |
| Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta | October 5 – 13 | Albuquerque, NM |
| †Schedule is subject to change. | ||
