About The Southern Indiana Tourism Hot-Air Balloon

The Go SoIN balloon took flight for the first time in April 2018 during the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Balloon Race, marking a significant moment in a tradition that stretches back decades. Prior to the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention & Tourism Bureau's rebrand to SoIN Tourism in 2016, they purchased their inaugural hot air balloon, "Sunny," in 1979. The goal of the program was to spotlight "The Sunny Side of Louisville" as the destination brand for Clark and Floyd counties, encompassing Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and New Albany, Indiana.

SoIN Tourism has remained a steadfast participant in the Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race, boasting the distinction of being the longest-continuous participant. Notably, SoIN clinched victory in the race in 2018, further solidifying its presence and impact. Beyond this esteemed event, the balloon serves as a dynamic promotional tool at various gatherings throughout the region, embodying the spirit and allure of Southern Indiana. 

While "Sunny" has since been retired, the introduction of the new Go SoIN hot air balloon continues to evoke joy and excitement, evident in the smiles it elicits from onlookers. The Go SoIN balloon, with its Cameron Z-105 model and impressive envelope size of 105,000 cubic feet, stands approximately 9 stories tall, bearing the aircraft number N101CF.