August 7-9 Travel Correspondent Lauren Jones went on her first hot air balloon ride at the 2007 Gatesway Balloonfest that went on at Will Rodgers Downs in Claremore. The annual event takes place in different Oklahoma cities, and Claremore was the host city for this years event. The Gatesway foundation is a non-profit Oklahoma agency that provides residential and vocational options and supports people with developmental disabilities. The event happens the first weekend in August every year.