Company History

Serenity Ballooning is owned and operated by Bret Christian of Indianola, IA. Bret grew up when the National Hot Air Balloon Championship was held in Indianola, and Indianola was the capital of ballooning in the United States. After almost twenty years of being a crew member and crew chief, Bret decided to get his pilots license in 2000. In 2003 Bret competed in his first balloon race in Creston, IA and got 2nd place and rookie of the year.  Since then his competitive success has included:

• 2 top 15 finishes at the US National Hot Air Balloon Championships
• 2nd Place in the Iowa State Championship
• 2nd Place in the North Central Regional Championship
• 5 top 10 finishes at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
• Several top 5 and top 10 finishes at other events.

Bret and his family take great pride in Serenity Ballooning and are eager to share their passion and enthusiasm for the sport of hot-air ballooning with you.

History of Hot Air Ballooning

The sport of Hot Air Ballooning started in France in 1783 by the Mongolfier brothers. The two brothers were paper makers and were intrigued by how smoke and fire lifted small pieces of paper. So they began making small balloons, lighting them, and chasing them into the countryside. After doing this several times, they decide to attach a cage to a small balloon and they sent a sheep, a chicken, and a goose up into the countryside. Shortly after the animals survived their first flight, the first man was sent up in a balloon. Modern day hot-air ballooning became popular during the 1960's in the United States.

The Balloonist Prayer

The winds have welcomed you with softness,
The sun has blessed you with his warm hands,
You have flown so high and so well,
That God has joined you in your laughter,
And set you gently back again into the loving arms of Mother Earth.