Reno 360°: A blog for those who love Reno and aren't afraid to admit it

Megg Mueller, editor, reno.com and tahoe.com, mmueller@TahoeRenoOnline.com
September 11, 2007

Reno.com had the pleasure of being a major sponsor for the Great Reno Balloon Race this past weekend. We also created, along with our newspaper group, the official program and were hosts of the Race's information booth.

Yeah, we're all a little tired. But while it meant getting up at about 3 a.m. for a few days, it was also a complete blast. This is one of the premier events in the area, and if you've never been, you're missing out, big time.

As hosts of the info booth, we fielded tons of questions, from the obvious "where is the bathroom?" to the important "is there a first aid tent?" But after some quick stories from all of us who worked, I've settled on a few top questions I thought you might get a kick out of:

• "Where should I be?"
No fewer than five people asked this sincere question. While we in the booth asked a few questions of our own to help the lost souls and directed them onward, it was decided later some good answers might have been: "Wherever you're happiest, dear" or "Six inches to the left" and lastly, "Back home, in bed."

• "So when do the balloons actually 'race'?"
This one took some explaining. Plenty of folks were anticipating an actual speed contest and finish line. Our explanation that this is more of a skills contest, accompanied by a slight joke about balloons not having a lot of forward thrust seemed to illuminate the slightly saddened speed junkies.

And the best question of the event:

• "You're the information booth ... so where the hell did I park my car?"
After we stopped laughing, many people in our group did try to help this lost kid. He and some friends had apparently stayed up all night partying so they could make it to the event. Unfortunately, he then drove to the Race, but had no idea several hours later how he'd gotten there or where he'd parked. Seriously, next year?? Switch to a caffeinated soda ... you'll stay up and find your way home, much easier.

See you at the Race next year!