Opinion: A thousand thanks to organizers, businesses who keep Balloon Stampede afloat

In a few days, a longtime Walla Walla event will bring the community together and entertain residents of all ages - just as it has 50 times before.

The magic of hot air balloons will transform the skies above the Walla Walla Valley into a spectrum of rainbow colors.

The Walla Walla Balloon Stampede, started in 1974 by a few balloon enthusiasts, has earned its rightful place on the mantel of Walla Walla traditions.

"The Walla Walla Balloon Stampede is the Northwest's longest-running hot air balloon event," said 10-year event director Laurie Spencer. "Originally a small gathering in a wheat field, it evolved into a major annual event held at Howard Tietan Park."

A two-year grounding of the event occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why it's called the 50th edition this year, rather than the 50th annual event.

Thirty balloons are expected to be part of this year's edition, which begins Thursday, May 7, and ends Sunday, May 10.

This is a must-see family event and one assembled by a selfless army of volunteers, businesses and sponsors. Without their generosity, time, skills and dedication, the Stampede would certainly deflate.

There is a long list of people who deserve a thank-you from the community. This is a small number of them:

• Bill Lloyd, Mick Vale and Ginger Vale Kelly were among the first participants and original organizers of the event in 1974.

Lloyd flew in event from its start to well into the 1990s. He is known by many in the community as "the father of the Balloon Stampede."

Kelly became the historian of the event after many years of flying balloons. She assembled annual albums of the event for years and eventually donated them to Whitman College for posterity.

• Steve Stevens, who owned radio station KHIT (1320 AM), was one of the first sponsors and a personal supporter of the Stampede from 1975 into the 1990s.

• Jim Bock, known as the voice of the Balloon Stampede, was the official announcer for all the launches at the event for 47 years, ending in 2024.

• Dick Neher was chairman of the Stampede for many years and helped organize the original event when it was on the Wa-Hi campus.

• Jerry Cummins is a longtime supporter of the event, beginning as a pilot in 1987 and serving as a balloonmeister from 1989 to 2013.

• Scott and Laurie Spencer eventually stepped forward and saved the Stampede in 2016 when some of its support fell through. The Spencers brought their experience producing the Boise Balloon Festival and kept the Walla Walla event afloat. Scott Spencer died in 2020, and now Laurie continues to be the sole event producer as well as a lead pilot.

These are just some of the people. There are just as many businesses who have given time and money to keep the event going, including Gesa Credit Union, Columbia REA and AmeriGas, which donates all the propane for the event.

Thanks to all of you.

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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 10:12 PM.