NATCHEZ — When hot-air balloons are in the air this weekend, spectators are likely to recognize some of the 50 or so balloons that are floating overhead.

Since its inception in 1986, the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race has become a favorite annual event for locals, but it is also a favorite event for many of the pilots that compete.

Cappy Stahlman, an original race organizer, said he’s had several pilots tell him the Natchez race is their personal favorite — coming in ahead of larger races like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico.

“The Albuquerque race is a great race. It is the balloon race Mecca of the world,” Stahlman said. “It is a pretty intense nine-day long event.

“Pilots like to come here more because it is a laid back event where the name of the game is to please your sponsors.”

Stahlman said it isn’t unusual to see pilots who have been flying in the Natchez race for more than 10 years.

One pilot who can’t get enough of Natchez is Dennis Barrett.

The Bogue Chitto native has been in Natchez for every race but one.

“(Natchez) is a fun place to be,” Barrett said. “I have always come and always enjoy it. I see no reason to not keep coming back.”

Barrett has flown in hot-air balloon races in Foley, Ala., Danville, Ill., and Albuquerque, among others.

Karen Kent, of the Baton Rouge area, hasn’t been flying in Natchez as long as Barrett, but said her trips to Natchez are some of the best in her piloting career. Kent has extra fond memories of Natchez since it is the place where she took her test flight to get her commercial license.

Kent flies in her hometown race in Baton Rouge, Anderson, S.C., Battle Creek, Mich., and several races in Texas each year.

“Natchez has that down south friendly attitude and atmosphere,” Kent said. “And the camaraderie between the pilots is like a homecoming event for everyone.

“Natchez is a standard race on my calendar.”

Stahlman said pilots come to Natchez for more than just the race. He said people enjoy the town when balloons aren’t in the air.

“In Natchez, people can find whatever they want to eat and the folks in the community have welcomed the pilots with open arms,” Stahlman said. “ I know one guy who comes every year and leaves every year with a van full of antiques.”

Barrett agreed Natchez just offers more than other venues.

“Natchez just has a flavor all its own,” he said. “And not just the balloon races. The city just has a great atmosphere, and the fact that the race is there is just icing on the cake.”

Kent said the terrain at the Natchez race is a little more challenging to navigate, but she doesn’t let that deter her. She said coming to Natchez is an easy trip and not just because of the proximity to her home.

“The organizers and everyone involved make this a great event for pilots,” she said. “They will bend over backwards to help you out. As a pilot you have nothing to worry about in Natchez because it is all done for you.”

Kent said other than hospitality, Natchez offers a unique event on its Friday sunrise flight — a bicycle race. Cyclists ride with pilots and the bikes ride with the chase team. After the bean bag drop at the drop site, the balloon lands and the cyclist retrieves his or her bike and proceeds to race to the Natchez Convention Center. The pilots score at the drop and the cyclists time combine to determine the race winner.

“Nowhere else has a bicycle race at sunrise,” Kent said. “It is really unique to Natchez and over the years the teams that compete in it have developed a bit of a friendly rivalry. I’m already getting phone calls about it.”

The Great Mississippi River Balloon race gets under way Friday with a 7 a.m. flight, weather permitting, and a 6 p.m. balloon glow followed by fireworks and music on the festival grounds.