Each year our club hosts several fun annual meetings, the first being our April Fool's Day meeting which originated on Burnett's Mound.  The meeting location has since changed, however, the April 1st Meeting tradition began in the early 1980's when local pilot Paul Costello contacted all of the Great Plains Balloon Club members to assist him with a flight that he was planning from the mound that evening.  The turnout was good, with one notable exception, Mr. Costello.  He stayed home, unsure if anyone had actually shown up until he started getting the phone calls from people wondering where he was.  He had pulled a prank that turned into an annual event where in addition to holding our monthly meeting we spend the evening tailgating and sharing food, beverages, and stories with other members.  If Mother Nature cooperates we also try to plan a flight that will take us over the meeting site.

Other activities have included a bowling meeting usually in February, our March bingo meetings where after we share a potluck meal and conclude our monthly meeting we enjoy several games of BINGO with prizes provided by the club.  It is always a shock to see how many people show up for some fierce BINGO competition!

Lastly, our December meeting is usually the highest attended meeting of the year.  We begin the festivities with a sunset balloon glow, our "Christmas Card to the City" and then gather at a shelter house for a meal that doesn't let anyone go home hungry.  After the meal we hold our monthly meeting, which includes a "changing of the guard", the transfer of leadership to the newly elected club officers, and a holiday gift exchange.

In addition to numerous flights throughout the year, Great Plains Balloon Club members put on the annual Huff 'n Puff balloon rally.  After a late August "crew training" session that is open to the public,  thousands of spectators converge on the Mount Hope Balloon Field the weekend after Labor Day to witness balloons from all across the mid-west take flight in the skies of Topeka.  It takes a lot of coordination and volunteers to make the event a success and the Great Plains Balloon Club members continue pull it off year after year.  Past proceeds from the rally have benefited local charities such as The Children's Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Friends of the Topeka Zoo, just to name a few. For more information please visit the Huff 'n Puff website.

Great Plains Balloon Club members put on several demonstrations for schools and other entities, take part in local parades, and have the opportunity to participate in many other club events and activities.  The Great Plains Balloon Club often helps out other local non-profit organizations and charities whenever it can by donating balloon rides for auctions, and so much more!

Please consider accompanying us on our next adventure, and  Join the GPBC.