Your Kids Get a FREE Balloon Ride at the Spirit Of Boise Balloon Classic
Want to treat your kiddos to a once in a lifetime experience before school? Bring them to the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic on Wednesday, August 29!
That’s CapEd Kids’ Day at the Spirit of Boise! Close to twenty balloons are expected to inflate at Ann Morrison Park that morning, but you won't see them soaring over the Connector or Boise Depot on the way to work. Why? Because your little ones are invited to jump into the basket of one of those balloons to experience what a ride in a hot air balloon feels like!
Don’t worry parents, these rides are what the balloon pilots call a “tethered ride.” Your kids won’t be floating off into the blue skies over Boise. The balloons are tied to the ground with strong ropes to prevent them from floating away.
You’ll also be able to take all the photos of your kiddos posing with the balloons that you’d like. Depending on weather, the first inflation takes place around 6:45 a.m. and pilots will continue to take minis on rides till around 8:45 a.m.
Once the Spirit of Boise gets under way, inflation and launches begin around 6:45 a.m. Thursday - Sunday. Weather permitting, you'll see the balloons in the sky shortly after. If you're really lucky, you might get to see one close up when it lands.
There's no steering in a hot air balloon, so pilots will literally fly their balloons where the wind takes them. During the Spirit of Boise, it's not unusual to see one landing on a playground or dipping down to "kiss" the Boise River.
When I flew with Lori Spencer (one of the event's organizers) she landed our balloon in the bed of the pick-up truck that was following us to take the balloon back to it's trailer at the park. It was a cool experience and Lori's one of the best pilots in the WORLD! If remember James Franco arriving to his Jimmy Kimmel appearance in the "Oz: The Great and Powerful" hot air balloon, Lori was actually hidden in the basket, helping to navigate it to a safe landing. She and her husband, Scott, do a lot to bring the balloons to Boise every year and we love them for it!
Help us end the summer at one of Boise's most beloved FREE family events! Get the complete schedule for Spirit of Boise 2018 HERE.