This weekend’s Great Mississippi Balloon Race marks the fifteenth year for one of Natchez’s most popular events — an event that almost didn’t get off the ground.

&uot;It almost didn’t happen because of the wind,&uot; Ron Miller, Historic Natchez Foundation executive director, said of the first race in 1986.

&uot;I remember the wind was so high (the race officials) told us not to take off,&uot; Miller said. &uot;But James Biglane was determined to take off, because it was his party.&uot;

Ron Riches, owner of Monmouth Plantation, recalled a mealtime conversation with Biglane a few months before that windy day when the idea for a Natchez balloon race first took off.

Biglane and his wife had just returned from the Albuquerque balloon festival and were telling him about their experience, Riches said. &uot;I mentioned to James wouldn’t it be nice to have a balloon race here to benefit the Historic Natchez Foundation, and he said ‘let’s do it,’&uot; he said.

The foundation agreed to take on the project, and in just more than a month had located sponsors and notified balloonists around the country.

Twenty or so balloons registered for the first race, but only two braved the strong winds; and ground entertainment consisted of a few local bands playing on a trailer bed, Miller said.

At least 67 balloons are registered for this weekend’s race, and the festivities have expanded to include numerous food and craft vendors, a children’s carnival and well-known musical acts like Eddie Money and Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders.

&uot;It has grown tremendously, and a large part of it has been that the community has grown with it,&uot; Laura Godfrey, race committee chairman, said.

Not only has the race grown in size, it has gained a reputation as one of the country’s premiere balloon events among the ballooning community and fans alike.

&uot;The reputation is everyone looks forward to the balloon race,&uot; Riches said.

Godfrey said the race committee maintains a list of balloonists waiting to get in on the Natchez race, and several of the registered pilots are national champions.

&uot;It has become an event of such renown that people know it’s happening in October,&uot; Miller said.

Sammy Porter, president of senior race sponsor United Mississippi Bank, said many race fans return year after year and know to mark the third weekend in October on their calendars.

&uot;The race has changed for the better; it’s been refined and fine-tuned,&uot; Porter said.

&uot;In the beginning we just had to feel our way through,&uot; he said. &uot;Through experience, you get a little more streamlined and work out your kinks.&uot;

Several organizers said they don’t envision the race itself growing much in size over the next 15 years, because the number of balloons is limited by ground space.

&uot;I see the other events surrounding the race expanding,&uot; Porter said. &uot;As long as there’s ballooning, they’ll be coming to Natchez.&uot;