Many of us take the great things about Natchez for granted.

We drive past the beautiful, antebellum houses and don’t realize the painstaking work many residents have endured to restore them to their grandeur or just maintain the mansions.

We often drive back and forth across the Mississippi River without stopping to consider its amazing beauty and power.

This weekend, many of may have taken for granted another of Natchez’s special jewels — the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

It’s difficult for many to imagine Natchez without the balloon race, but it wasn’t all that long ago that the balloon race was just a dream for a few folks who wanted to bring a fun event to Natchez.

This year, as the GMRBR celebrates its 25th year, the event has grown into one that is known far and wide. The sights and the sounds can be spectacular as dozens of balloons soar over huge stately antebellum mansions and over the Mighty Mississippi.

But we should all pause today and say “thank you” to the volunteers — those that originally conceived the balloon race and the ones who year in and year out make the race operate so smoothly.

Without their hard work and dedication, the balloon race would not have been such a great success through the years. Thank you for 25 years of fun.