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Pilots prepare for Wild West Balloon Festival this weekend
By Richard Reeder
This document was published online on Monday, July 28, 2008
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| Hot-air balloons prepare to take off before last year’s Wild West Balloon Fest in Mentock Park. |
The 13th annual Wild West Balloon Festival will fill the skies over Cody with color this weekend.
Weather permitting during the four days, balloons will begin flying Thursday as the pilots prepare for the weekend.
“This is a nice event because we take care of the pilots,” organizer Jack Way says. “The pilots like to go to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, play golf and just enjoy Cody.”
This year Way is expecting about 10 pilots, which is fewer than past years.
“This will be the standard event,” Way said. “Gas prices are an obvious reason some people won't be here.
“One pilot from Texas said it would cost him about $1,500 to come,” he added. “That's plenty of money to anyone.”
Way said ballooning isn't a sport only for the rich.
“Contrary to popular belief, balloon pilots don't necessarily have tons of money,” he said. “But they also probably don't have too many other toys.
“Ballooning can be an expensive hobby,” he adds. “But it's so much fun and a great way to meet people.”
Way said the Cody event has progressed to become well-known.
“It used to be we had to rely on people contacting and finding us,” Way said. “But now we're well known.”
Way said the visit by ESPN two years ago was exciting and unexpected.
“When they decided to do the 50 states series they formed a committee to look at different events,” he said. “They chose us because they were looking for events that were not typical.
“That was a blast when they were here,” he added. “It says so much about Cody and the reputation we have.”
Many pilots never miss the event.
“Bob Cross missed the first one but has been here ever since,” Way said. “Ed and Sigie Potthoff have been here every year but the first, too.”
Way said the Cody community is what keeps bringing the pilots back.
“I could go ask hotels and they would probably give us a block rate for rooms,” Way said. “But when they can sell those for full price I don't feel right about asking them that.
“The host families have become friends with the pilots,” he added. “Most come back and stay with the same people - it's like a family reunion.”
Way said the volunteers help make the event a success.
“I'll pull in at 5:15 a.m. and there's plenty of people in the park ready to help,” he said. “I'll see them gathered around a trailer and I know that flight is OK.
“Then people will be standing around and I'll send them to a trailer that doesn't have anyone around,” he added. “It's crazy to think people will drive around after a balloon.”
Cody landowners also make the pilots feel at home.
“We know to stay out of their crops and otherwise they don't mind if we have to set down,” Way said. “They know we won't bother anything and won't be there long.”
Way tells the story of one of his unexpected landings.
“I had to set down in a cul-de-sac and saw a house with a large lawn and asked if I could land there,” he said. “The guy said “OK” and I set down.
“After a few minutes he came and asked how long I would be because he needed to get his boat out,” he added. “I told him 15 minutes and he was good with that.”
To volunteer call Way, 527-7424.
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