Milkyway, a cow head balloon, celebrates a pilot’s tribute to his late father and a family’s multigenerational love for ballooning.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Hundreds of special-shaped balloons lit up the Albuquerque sky at the Special Shapes Glowdeo at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Thursday night.
Milkyway, a cow head balloon, is one of those special shapes on display.
Ballooning is more than just a sport for its pilot, Bill Kinser. It serves as a tribute to his late father, who passed away in a car accident when Kinser was 11 years old.
“My dad passed away when I was young. He was killed in a car wreck, and so it was kind of always my dream to follow dad’s dream, too,” the pilot from Oklahoma said.
Kinser spent his childhood in the air with his father, who was also a pilot.
“I remember as a kid, I’m in the balloon with him looking over the side as we’re flying. The cars were like little Matchbox cars,” Kinser said.
After college, one of Kinser’s uncles gave him a balloon. He quickly followed in his father’s footsteps. His son, Will, has since joined the family tradition.
“My grandpa, Pat, how I wish he was here, but I know he’s looking at us and I hope he’s proud,” Will said.
Milkyway, designed by Kinser’s wife, made its fifth appearance at the Balloon Fiesta this year.
“You can see it’s a family affair. This is our family,” Kinser said.
From in-laws to cousins to grandkids, the entire family worked together to prepare Milkyway for the glow. The legacy continues with a new generation, as Will’s two-year-old son shows an early love for ballooning.
“My son’s two. I think if he could, he’d fly a balloon right now,” the father of two said. “He loves it so much.”
Thirteen new special-shaped balloons debuted at the Balloon Fiesta today, bringing the total to 117.
