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The Boise River Festival no longer exists, going out of business in 2003.The following was originally posted to the web in 1998.However, a Hot Air Balloon Festival called the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic began in 2004 and is held each year around the third weekend in June.
The Boise River Festival took place each summer at the end of June. The 4-day extravaganza, which got its start in 1990, had over 400 events including children's activities, sports tournaments, famous-name entertainment and local talent, food, hot rod/classic car show, air shows, hot air balloons, fireworks, a parade and much more.
The two events that I attended regularly were the hot air balloon launches and the hot rod/classic car show. Both took place in Ann Morrison Park, near downtown Boise, and offered many opportunities to the photographer. The balloons began launching each morning of the Festival around 6:30am (depending on weather) and, depending on the wind, remained in the vicinity of the park until 8:00 - 9:00am. More often than not, the balloons headed west out of the park, landing a mile or two away in various fields, parks and other open spaces (hopefully!). If a balloon landed back in the park, some of the pilots gave short, low-level, tethered rides to those interested in taking a balloon ride. These "flights" usually lasted a couple minutes and didn't rise above about 30 feet.
On the weekend, all the balloons launched together. This was the time when the special shapes balloons got into the action. Special shapes balloons are custom-made and can be quite complex, from castles and arks to dinosaurs and bunnies. There were upwards of 60-70 balloons rising from the trees in the early morning light. It was quite spectacular! Saturday night was the nightglow, a special night event when the balloons are inflated but don't take off. At a signal or countdown, all the pilots fired their burners simultaneously and yellow flame shot up into the balloons, lighting them like giant candles. Sometimes the nightglow is choreographed to music, much like a fireworks display, but it is a delight to the spectators regardless.
On the following pages are highlights of the Boise River Festival Balloon launches of 1997 and 1998. I hope you enjoy them!
A selection of my balloon photos are available as greeting cards here.
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