Soar the Big Sky

The only hot air balloon festival in Montana draws the public to Billings.

By Brandy Powers

NorthWestern Energy Engineer Taylor Erskine, who volunteered at the Big Sky International Balloon Rendezvous, helps launch a balloon from Amend Park in Billings.

The big sky over Billings, Montana, danced with extra colors and beauty as 19 hot air balloons took flight during the 2022 Big Sky International Balloon Rendezvous. A cornerstone in Billings for nearly 30 years, the event draws pilots from across the world and is made possible through the support of community sponsors.

The Montana balloon festival has changed names and locations a few times over the years, yet it remains the only hot air balloon event in

Montana. Presently, Big Sky International Balloon Rendezvous occurs annually in late July at Amend Park in Billings.

Pilots from as far away as Belgium and Canada join with local pilots from Montana, as well as pilots from other states, to provide spectators with a magnificently memorable experience.

Graham Luckett and his beautiful balloon, Tally Ho II, was paired with the NorthWestern Energy crew. A seasoned pilot for 40 years, Graham traveled to the event from Fort Collins, Colorado. He has flown in 19 different countries and says his favorite place to fly is wherever he is flying at the moment.

“We’ll bring as many balloons as there are sponsors to support it,” said Big Sky International Balloon Rendezvous board member Kylie Coleman-Jones, explaining how the monetary balloon sponsorship provides transportation for the pilot and balloon, along with propane for the flight.

“The best kind of sponsors are those that get involved and help the crew,” Kylie said. “The pilots all vie for who gets paired up with NorthWestern Energy, because they are well-known throughout the organization to not only be counted upon to financially support the event but they have a reliable, hard-working group of volunteers that show up each morning to help launch and chase the balloons.”

The leader at the helm for NorthWestern Energy’s balloon crew is Billings-area Community Relations Manager Lisa Perry. She starts prep for the event months in advance as she recruits employee volunteers, coordinates supporting activities, plans the flight schedules, secures the donation, and works with the event planning board.

“We have a dedicated group of volunteers that I look forward to working with each year,” Lisa said. “I’m always in awe of how proficient they’ve become at ballooning – on top of all they do during their fulltime workday”

Many NorthWestern Energy employee volunteers were joined by their family members who also volunteered at the Big Sky International Balloon Rendezvous. Volunteering was a big commitment – volunteers had to arrive by 5:30 a.m. to greet the sun and prepare the balloons for the early morning departure. Despite the early wake-up time on the weekend, the volunteers had a blast.

Each morning of the four-day event, the balloons take flight fromAmend Park where spectators gather at dawn to watch the ascent. Sincelaunch conditions are highly weather-dependent, a local weathermanis on-site to discuss any delays and help educate the crowd on safeflight conditions. Weather cooperated and all flights were a go duringthe 2022 event.

Once in the air, the balloons fly as long and as far as the wind takesthem, typically landing after about an hour, around 8 a.m. Volunteerchase teams follow their designated balloon and bring the pilot and balloonback to the park.

“We need to give ourlocal landowners a specialshout-out as well,”Lisa added.

A balloon pilot can onlycontrol the balloon’s movementsup and down, whilethe wind controls the speedand direction of the flight.Pilots search for safe andaccessible landing spotsfrom the air.

“Our pilot and crewwork hard and fast to get theballoon packed up and offthe property as fast as possible.Landowners’ support is acritical component of a successful flight.” Lisa said.

Perhaps the highlight of the weekend event is Saturday night’sBalloon Glow. Starting at dusk, the huge, magnificent balloons are lit upand illuminate the park. As part of the evening festival, NorthWesternEnergy offered bucket truck rides, providing kids with a “lineman’s view.”Local band Repeat Offenders performed late into the night and foodtrucks kept the crowds well fueled. The balloons remain on the groundduring the evening event and it’s the perfect time for observers to walk

around and interact with the pilots while marveling at the grand size ofthe balloons.

“Every balloon has a name and usually a story about why it's namedthat,” said board member Wynona Veatch, recalling what a huge impactthe event has had over the years with her own family.

That sentiment was shared by the whole board, who each havetouching stories about why they are so passionate in donating their timeto bring this long-standing tradition to the community.

“I can still remember seeing the Mr. Peanut balloon dance across

the sky as a kid,” said boardmember Laura Harmon. “Ilove that this is an event I cannow enjoy with my son andwe get to look forward to ityear after year.”

The event cannot happenwithout the assistance ofmany volunteers and sponsors.Hot air balloons need achase crew to follow them tolanding and bring them backto the field, and help set upthe balloon and inflate it. Theprocess is intense and thedays start early.

“Over the course of the

four morning ascensions andthe evening glow, we need hundreds of volunteers,” Big Sky InternationalBalloon Rendezvous Board President Chris Jones said. “We can’tthank the community enough.”

The NorthWestern Energy volunteer crew begins each morning as they would at work, with a safety tailboard and Move Safe stretching lead by Journeyman Lineman Cary Norling, a long-time event volunteer.