Balloons prepare to land in a backyard north of Scottsbluff on Monday morning, part of the opening day of national competition.
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Gary Heavin celebrates after completing a task at Mitchell Airfield on Tuesday morning.
PHOTOS: 2026 U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship Days 1 & 2
Petra Wilson, piloting her balloon “Highlighter,” attempts to throw a marker close to the center of a target during a task at Mitchell Airfield on Tuesday.
Gary Heavin, in his balloon “Almost Heaven,” drops his marker close to the center of the target during a task at Mitchell Airfield on Tuesday morning.
Gary Heavin celebrates after completing a task at Mitchell Airfield on Tuesday morning.
Sanne Haarhuis throws her marker at the target during a task at Mitchell Airfield on Tuesday morning.
Hot air balloons float toward the horizon after a task at Mitchell Airfield on Tuesday morning.
Hot air balloons float past the Scottsbluff water tower after completing a task at the Scotts Bluff Country Club on Tuesday morning.
Chase Donner and his hot air balloon “TBD” float toward the target during a task at the Scotts Bluff Country Club on Tuesday morning.
Hot air balloon competitors fly toward their task at the Scotts Bluff Country Club on Tuesday morning. Pilots had to drop a marker as close as possible to the center of a target.
Mike Stone, in his balloon “Ayobae,” attempts to throw a marker close to the center of a target during a task at the Scotts Bluff Country Club on Tuesday.
Phil Clinger’s balloon “Overheat” rises fully upright at Mitchell Airfield on Monday as crews continue to inflate other balloons nearby.
Hot air balloons stand up during inflation at Mitchell Airfield on Monday, the opening day of the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship
Hot air balloons climb into a hazy morning sky over Scotts Bluff County on Monday.
Hot air balloons scattered across the sky over Scotts Bluff County on Monday morning for the opening day of the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship.
“Apache,” piloted by Joey Strutz, and “Shilo,” piloted by Peg Bilson, drifted over Scotts Bluff County on Monday morning.
Balloons prepare to land in a backyard north of Scottsbluff on Monday morning, part of the opening day of national competition.
Pilot Jeff Bennett checks on his balloon “Soul Shine” during inflation at Mitchell Airfield on Monday.
Balloon crews deflate balloons on a hillside in Scotts Bluff County on Monday morning.
Bruce Wood, piloting “Wood’a, Could’a” attempts to drop his marker close to the target during a task at Mitchell Airfield on Tuesday morning.
Hot air balloons float toward the horizon after completing a task at Mitchell Airfield on Tuesday morning.
Hot air balloons drift along a rural road outside Mitchell on Monday, as crews and spectators watch from below.
Balloons rise across Mitchell Airfield on Monday morning as the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship opened its first day of competition.
A volunteer helps hold open a balloon envelope during inflation at Mitchell Airfield on Monday morning.
