What is it about a big piece of cloth attached to a basket floating in the air that makes people stop dead in their tracks and look up, mesmerized?  All we know is, it's impossible to resist.  Mark your calendars for The Great Reno Balloon Race, taking flight September 5-7 in Racho San Rafael Park.  What began as a cool idea in 1982 with 20 balloons is now the largest free hot-air ballooning event in the country, with more than 100 brightly-colored orbs floating through the Reno skies. Don't miss the Dawn Patrol, when music will accompany a handful of night-flight-qualified balloons glowing against the early morning sky. Other highlights include:

• Pajama Fest 2008, billed as the "World's Largest Pajama Party," where you can come to the race dressed in your pj's and compete for prizes in the Bed Head competition (and since each day kicks off pre-dawn, showing up wearing what you slept in isn't such a crazy idea) 
• a "Kids' Corner," with activities that range from face painting to designing posters
• tethered balloon rides for kids for a $5.00 donation to a children's charity
• character balloons (think Energizer Bunny, Smokey the Bear and others with kid appeal)
• "balloon blackjack," where balloon pilots toss markers at jumbo-sized playing cards placed on the field (it is Reno, after all)

It all gets underway on Friday, September 5 when more than 100 balloons will lift off in a "Mass Ascension Launch" at 6:45am. On Saturday and Sunday the fun starts at 5:00am with a pancake breakfast.