BOISE, Idaho – The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic kicked off today with CapEd Kid’s Day, where dozens of balloons will be inflated on the launch field and children under normal circumstances will have the opportunity to take a free tethered balloon ride.
However, due to wind conditions, the tether rides were cancelled this morning.
The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic runs through Sunday, with launch scheduled for 7:20 a.m. each day.
For a full schedule, visit the Spirit of Boise website.
(Below is a verbatim transcript of the story that aired.)
By all appearances, the weather was perfect for the start of the Spirit of Boise Balloon Festival.
But in reality, the wind was too strong for these sailboats of the sky to even take off.
“I know, but for everyone’s safety, it’s just better if people come and enjoy the balloons, and tomorrow will be a better day. Maybe tomorrow or later this week we’ll have a better chance of doing flights,” said pilot Brian Reich with the Chasing Rainbows balloon.
Nevertheless, thousands of spectators came early to witness a sight that many people never get to see.
The crews pulled out the canopies and lit the burners to release half a dozen balloons like giant mushrooms from the lawn.
And the children? Well, they were fascinated and slightly disappointed at the same time.
“Do you want to go flying? Yes, but we can’t today.”
Even though the wind was too strong to get the balloons airborne, there’s nothing better than being up close and personal with the colorful canopies as they inflate. The kids and everyone else had a great time. In downtown Boise, senior reporter Roland Beres Idaho News Six.
