Noble Credit Union Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly draws thousands to Clovis Rodeo grounds

With stars still shining in the night sky, thousands of visitors flocked to the Clovis Rodeo grounds before sunrise for the Noble Credit Union Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly, Oct. 26-27. The sound of hot air filling the 90,000 cu/ft balloons produced ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from visitors as they participated in the 45th annual Table Mountain Casino ClovisFest.

Feather editor-in-chief Addison Schultz, ‘21, and photo editor Avery Jones, ‘20, covered the event from the sky as they took a trip in a Starlite Balloon Flights balloon. As they hovered over the Valley, the journalists took photos, videos and interviewed their pilot Peggy Watson-Meinke.

Starlite Balloon Flights pilot Watson-Meinke commandeered a multi-colored balloon as it ascended over houses, schools, churches and fields. Licensed in 1986, Watson-Meinke travels across the southwest in her second balloon ‘Starlite’, offering flyers a ‘magic carpet’ experience.

“This is my first time in Clovis so I always like flying in new areas and meeting new people,” Watson-Meinke said. “These events bring people together. There’s always these smiling faces and it’s great for the kids to be included with.

“We were all out here before the sun even came up; how many people do that on a weekend?” Watson-Meinke continued. “Once you’re up there it’s like flying on a magic carpet.”

In the following podcast, Addison Schultz, ’21, interviews pilot Peggy Watson-Meinke about her perspective on the Fun Fly and ClovisFest.

The Fun Fly featured RE/MAX, Starlite, and Valley Children’s Hospital balloons, beginning inflation around 6:30 a.m. and takeoff at 8 a.m. Rides were not available to the public.

Eleven-year-old Bailey Mangoled  rode in a hot air balloon at the Fun Fly, Oct. 26. Recalling the cinnamon rolls and other treats from last year’s event, Mangoled enjoyed the festivities with her five-year-old brother, Ryan Mangoled.

“We love seeing the balloons take off,” Magoled said. “It’s always beautiful with the sunrise and all the colors of the balloons. Our favorite part of the festival is the cinnamon rolls and the donuts! Chocolate is our favorite. We are going in one today and I’m so excited to see the sky; it’s just beautiful.”

Beginning as an agent-created advertisement, the RE/MAX hot air balloon has been around since 1978. Rip Hovde, manager and realtor of RE/MAX Gold, approaches his sixth year of involvement with the balloon and shares his favorite parts of Clovis Fest.

“I’ve been coming to the Clovis Fest for 15 years,” Hovde said. “We don’t get to see balloons very often up close and personal. That’s why I like when the Chamber of Clovis or Fresno does events like this.

“Clovis Fest is unique because we have such a wide variety of people coming to see it,” Hovde continued. “We have a lot of kids which I really like and not very often do you get the balloons out.”

In the following tweet, ClovisFest commences and the hot air balloons launch, Oct. 26.

With the hot air balloon #funfly liftoff, #ClovisFest officially opens in @OldTownClovis! Come join #thefeather for an old fashioned #streetparty! Come for the food, hundreds of booths, games for the kids! #oldtownclovis @remax @CareForKids pic.twitter.com/t7cFT3AiCq

— The Feather Online (@thefeather) October 26, 2019

The Fun Fly initiated a weekend of ClovisFest activities. From the new International Village to the 200 booths lining the city streets, ClovisFest continues to entertain visitors and unite the community.

Check out ClovisFest draws thousands to Old Town Clovis, unites community, Oct. 26-27 for more information on ClovisFest 2019.

For last year’s ClovisFest Fun Fly article, check out RE/MAX balloon floats Feather journalists over ClovisFest. For more articles, read Year of the Student Journalist Concludes, young voices speak out and “Stranger Things” star Joe Keery releases first album.

Addison Schultz can be reached via email and via Twitter @SchultzAddison.

Thousands gather to watch hot air balloons during ClovisFest, Oct. 26.

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