Founded in 1863, it had been a mere spot along the Oregon Trail until its early settlers had the vision to see that the plentiful waters of the Boise River would be the pulse beat of a community. Those waters helped to turn the desert into a lush oasis.
The city sits at the edge of the Snake River Basin as the land rises to meet the Rocky Mountains. Boise is more than a jumping off spot into the Sawtooth and River of No Return Wilderness areas. A thriving small city it is the world headquarters of companies like Boise Cascade, Albertsons, Morrison-Knuedsen, Micron, and J.R. Simplot Company.
Named, The City of Trees, Boise is anchor of a 250,000 population metropolitan area. Five major parks parallel the Boise River greenbelt as it winds its way through town. The Chamber of Commerce boasts Boise is a city with four distinct seasons and offers an average of 325 playable golf days per year. They make no estimate, however, of the number of flyable balloon days.
Boise prides itself in the quality of life its citizens enjoy. Each summer that life is celebrated with The Boise River Festival, reflecting the character of its people and its natural resources working together. The festival’s two primary guidelines for all events are free admission to all who come and scheduled events have a family orientation. Held annually, the last Thursday through Sunday of June, the festival is designed to offer something to absolutely everyone.
Races, parades, entertainment and, or course, balloons. Big hot air balloons. This year saw 50 balloons flying over the capital city including Special Shapes like Arky, Mickey Mouse, Tyrannosaurus Rex, United Van Lines, Smokey, Mr. Autumn, Mr. Winter, Fred B. Rabbit, and Mr. Peanut.
The balloons are in town to delight the people who come to the festival. Launching from Ann Morrison Park the four days of flying are designed for pure fun. No competition. Just go out and have fun. This year the weather was excellent as the balloons were able to box back to the launch site on three of the four days.
Free tether rides were given to the many who waited in line at the park by balloonists who wished to offer the opportunity. This writer on the one day he did not land back to the launch area gave tether rides to approximately 150 children in the city park where I landed.
Hot air balloons are not the only inflatables in town. The Idaho Statesman River Giants Parade features the largest giant inflatables parade West of the Mississippi— they even had a hot air balloon giant inflatable in the parade. In addition to these giant balloons there is the usual assortment of floats and marching units.
The action does not stop at dusk. On Saturday evening when the main stage entertainer finished more than 100,000 people gathered around the launch field for a night glow orchestrated to music. Using radio contact with the pilots the balloons turned on their burners choreographed to music. Jim Bock, the balloon announcer, introduced each of the participating glow balloons and set the stage for the performance.
The Re/Max Boise River Festival Balloon event is organized by local balloonist Scott Spencer. Scott operates several corporate hot air balloon programs from Boise. His main goal is for each of the invited pilots and their crew to come, relax, and enjoy the River Festival. On top of the several evening parties and float trip down the Boise River his staff constantly asks each of the participants, “What can we do for you.”
This lead to a prank in which several of the balloonists said they would like an oil change for their chase vehicle. Thinking it a good joke they were surprised the next day when a loud knock disturbed them from their mid-day naps to ask for the keys to their vehicles. The mobile oil change service was in the parking lot. The Boise River Festival people are serious about hospitality.
Because many of the pilots had a long drive home the organizer did away with the usual after last flight party. Instead, after refueling and returning to the hotel to check out each pilot and crew member was greeted at the door with a box lunch, a warm hug, and best wishes for a safe trip home.
Boise River Festival exemplifies why most people get into ballooning—fun, ballooning the way it should be.
