BOISE, Idaho — The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic is set to return, painting the Treasure Valley sky with vibrant colors as dozens of hot air balloons take flight. Celebrating its 34th year, the event promises five days of breathtaking sights and thrilling experiences.
Curt Pengelly, a seasoned pilot who has been part of the celebration since its inception, shared his enduring passion for ballooning. “The equipment’s changed. The training has changed. The people have changed. It’s an entirely different sport or hobby than it was back in 1974,” Despite these changes, he emphasized that the “spirit of ballooning is the same as ever.”
Pengelly described the exhilarating experience of being close to the action. “There’s nothing like that thrill when you’re up close to something and the fans start, the burners start to roar, the balloons inflate and rise up off the ground. You’ve got to be right here, because it’s, it’s pretty powerful,” he said…