A mass balloon flight over Gardnerville in November 2021.
The Center for Hope and Healing is excited to launch their first-ever Carson Valley Hot Air for Hope Balloon Festival May 19-21. The weekend celebration will feature a race between 25 hot air balloons, a night glow event, arts festival, craft booths, food trucks, live music and other performing arts.
This free event is the second in a three-part hot air balloon race series: Lover’s Aloft took place over Valentine’s Day weekend in Lovelock, Hot Air for Hope is scheduled in May, and the Great Reno Balloon Race takes place September 8-10.
Hot Air for Hope is a fundraising and awareness event for the 501(c)3 non-profit CHH, which relies on grants, donations, and fundraisers to provide free grief support to anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one. The center’s services include peer sharing and support groups, home visits, community outreach and education, and an annual summer grief camp for children ages 7 to 17. CHH also offers age-appropriate backpacks filled with items that can help recipients memorialize their loved one and resources to help process different stages of grief.
CHH Executive Director Amanda Johnson said there are a number of ways to get involved with Hot Air for Hope. Event sponsors will enjoy exclusive opportunities that can include advertising, balloon rides, a pilot meet & greet event, and more. Anyone from the local community and surrounding areas looking to volunteer will have an opportunity to help crew balloons (field or chase) or assist with other festival operations. Organizers are also accepting applications from performers, non-profits, and food or craft vendors interested in having a booth at the event. All applications are available at hotairforhope.com/participate.
For more information, visit hotairforhope.com or contact Johnson at 775-691-1955. To learn more about CHH, visit douglascenterforhopeandhealing.org.
Read books, earn burgers and upcoming library closure
From March 11-April 22, the Douglas County Public Library participates in the In-N-Out Burger® Cover to Cover reading program. Children ages four to twelve are eligible to earn a certificate for a free cheeseburger or hamburger for every five books they read, and each child may earn up to three certificates.
Sign up for the program at either branch of the library or the Bookmobile to receive a reading log. The Minden Library is located at 1625 Library Lane and the Zephyr Cove Library is located at 233 Warrior Way.
Later this month, the Minden Library will close for remodeling that includes new flooring and upgraded restrooms. The work will occur in late March/April, and the library will post work dates once they’re finalized.
Connect with the Douglas County Public Library on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, library.douglascountynv.gov, or call 775-782-9841.
Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.
