Longview is actually a city spread between Harrison County as well as Gregg County in Texas. This particular city is regarded as a commercial center for the Longview Metropolitan Statistical Area and is one of its principle cities. Having a population of approximately 77, 000 people, Longview features a majority populace led by Whites, Hispanics, Native Americans, African Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asians respectively.
The Longview sports scene is quite diverse and strange. Apart from the normal collegiate sports of baseball, volleyball, Football, golf, softball, soccer and other varsity games, they host several annual events which range from boat races, balloon races, motorcycle rallies, athletic events. All these activities occur through the year as well as celebrate some part of sports combined with their own traditions.
During the month of January the East Texas Boat, RV and also Camping Expo occurs. This 3 day affair is actually organised on the last week of January every year. The foundation of the event was placed by the owners of Longview Marines, Gene Brady and Dale Clark and has been established since 1982. This particular expo brings RVs, private yachts, boats and motorcycles, ATVs coming from all over Eastern Texas beneath one roof drawing almost over 10, 000 participants annually.
One more major magnet in this area is the Annual Memorial Day Motorbike rally. This particular rally brings private motorcyclists as well as motorbike riders and many of these clubs coming from throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. This occasion started in 2006 and is a huge significant attraction in this region. The event consists of numerous bike games, a motorcyclists show, songs and parades and the big attraction referred to as the Teresi Dyno-Drag. Within this interactive event, bikers check their own abilities in racing and discover just how swiftly they can truly go in a quarter mile stretch.
One of the most exciting festivals that occur within Longview would be the Alley Fest which is organised in the onset of summer. This fest began in 1978 and also hosts and art display, a fabulous music event, a food competition along with a marathon run which is a 1 mile, 5K and also 10K course. The most recent introduction into the fest is the Kids Marathon run where young children between ages of 5 to 12 take part in a 25. 2 miles run.
The most popular amongst all these is the Great Texas Balloon race which is held during the month of July annually at the East Texas Regional Airport. This particular affair is considered as the “longest running hot-air balloon race in Texas”. This competition started out in 1978 over the launch of the Longview Mall as being a giant celebration. This went on thereafter and has expanded into a competitive event of world class standards. This event is actually believed to entice top class hot air balloon pilots coming from all across the world and includes balloon fights as well as balloon glows. The added attraction with this event is usually to observe how most of these balloons get filled with air and operated. This is an event which is held in association with the North American Balloon Association and also invites 80 special sport balloons.
The Longview News Journal stands out as the main newspaper publication in this region as well as dates back to 187. This particular publication carries all the local news, sports and community information.