Winners Announced for Old West Balloon Fest Window Decorating Contest
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 10, 2026 Contacts: Brenda Leisy – Scotts Bluff Area Visitors Bureau – 308.633.1808
Winners Announced for 2026 Old West Balloon Fest
Adopt-a-Pilot Window Decorating Contest
GERING, NE — Businesses throughout Mitchell, Scottsbluff and Gering brought their creativity and community spirit to life for the 2026 Old West Balloon Fest Adopt-a-Pilot Window Decorating Contest.
This year marked the largest participation in the history of the window decorating contest, with all 58 participating pilots adopted and 29 local businesses competing for top honors. The competition was fierce, with businesses going above and beyond to welcome their adopted pilots and celebrate Old West Balloon Fest.
“Our community is full of spirit this year, and welcoming our visitors is important because it improves their overall experience in Scotts Bluff County,” said Brenda Leisy, organizer of the window decorating event.
To keep the judging fair, judges were selected from neighboring communities, with some traveling from as far away as Oshkosh. Each participating business was visited and judged based on creativity, theme, presentation and overall impact.
Judges selected winners in four categories, along with the coveted High-Flyer Award for Best Overall Design.
2026 Window Decorating Contest Winners
Best “Patriotic” Theme
Winner: Security First Bank
Honorable Mention: Platte Valley Bank – Gering
Best “Business Spirit”
Winner: Gering Bakery
Honorable Mention: Scott Free Brewing
Honorable Mention: Dairy Queen
Best “New” Window
For businesses participating in the contest for the first time
Winner: Home Instead
Honorable Mention: True Green – Gering
Best “Creativity and Use of Objects”
Winner: Shelby Lynn Floral Design
Honorable Mention: The Blossom Shop
Honorable Mention: Legacy of the Plains Museum
High-Flyer Award — Best Overall Design
Winner: Bumper to Bumper
Bumper to Bumper also took home the grand prize of a balloon ride.
The judges agreed that selecting this year's winners was no easy task. “We had to pick six Honorable Mentions and still had a hard time deciding,” said Chadron State College freshman Logan Levick, one of this year's judges. The judging panel praised the businesses for their creativity, community involvement and enthusiasm for Old West Balloon Fest. From patriotic displays to clever use of everyday objects, each participating business helped create a festive atmosphere for residents and visitors throughout the county. Winners in each category will receive a commemorative pottery mug designed by Tiffany Hort, owner of Elodie’s Oddities, while Honorable Mention recipients will receive a special ribbon to display at their businesses.
The Adopt-a-Pilot Window Decorating Contest has become a fun way for local businesses to connect with the pilots, celebrate Old West Balloon Fest and show visitors just how much community spirit exists throughout Scotts Bluff County.
Congratulations to all of this year's participants and winners—and thank you for helping make Old West Balloon Fest 2026 one to remember!