Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic

The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is an annual, five-day festival held at Ann Morrison Park in Boise, Idaho, USA, featuring hot air balloons.[1] Prior to the balloon classic, an annual balloon event had occurred in Boise since 1974.[2]

Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic
2018 Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic
StatusActive
GenreFestivals
FrequencyAnnually
VenueAnn Morrison Park
Location(s)Boise, Idaho
Coordinates43°36′33″N 116°13′05″W
CountryUSA
Years active29
Founded1991
FounderScott Spencer, Steve Schmader
SponsorCapEd, Coca-Cola
Websitespiritofboise.com

History

The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic was organized by balloonist Scott Spencer and began in 1991, featuring ten balloons. The balloon classic was part of the Boise River Festival, and both events occurred together until 2002 when the Boise River Festival was discontinued. The balloon classic was cancelled 2007–2009 but returned in 2010 with balloon rides, free live music, and a variety of food vendors.[3]

The 70 ft (21 m) Spirit of Boise hot air balloon was designed by Boise school children in 1999 and was constructed with grant monies from the Boise 2000 Lasting Legacy Committee.[4]

In 2016 the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic inspired emerging artist Betsie Richardson to paint a Boise traffic control box. The work, titled Lift off at the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic, has been featured by the Boise City Department of Arts and History.[5]

The fourth cancellation happened in 2020. The 27th was deferred to 2021.

2018

The 2018 balloon classic was held in Ann Morrison Park August 29 through September 2 and featured over 40 hot air balloons.[6]

References
  1. Tyson Miller. "EVENT GUIDE: 2018 Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic". KTVB. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  2. David Collie (August 31, 2018). "A deeper look at the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic". The Arbiter. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  3. Betsy Z. Russell. "The balloons are back". Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  4. Lafferty, Shannon (May 31, 2000). "Leaving a legacy (Historic cabin will get funds for facelift)". Idaho Statesman. Boise. pp. 1B.
  5. "Lift off at the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic". Boise City Department of Arts and History. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  6. Lex Nelson (August 29, 2018). "Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic". Boise Weekly. Archived from the original on August 30, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.

See also

Hot air ballooning
Hot air balloon festival

Media related to Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic at Wikimedia Commons

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