In a dark dirt lot just off Highway 111 in Indio, Justin Wilkinson and his crew member were barely visible unraveling one of their balloons at sunrise. The hum of two fans broke the quiet morning inflating the multicolored balloon that lie on its side, and within minutes, the balloon bellowed in size and began to take shape. Any child or adult would feel compelled to walk inside the inflated balloon because of its rainbow fabric and size. Soon after, Justin crawled into the basket, still on its side, and shot bursts of flame into the balloon until it sat right-side-up. Steve Wilkinson, Justin’s father and owner of Fantasy Balloon Flights, jumped in the basket along with four passengers. And just like that, the hot air from the flame lifted the basket off the ground beginning the flight. They floated higher and higher until the orange flame was the only thing visible from the balloon’s silhouette.
While this would be a spectacular sight for most children, for Emrey and Elle, ages 8 and 5, it’s business as usual. The girls are the granddaughters in the Wilkinson family, locals to the valley who have been in the hot air business for forty years. Steve Wilkinson was a UPS driver before he became a pilot. On one of his driving routes, Steve witnessed a hot air balloon land in the distance. Intrigued and looking for more work, Steve sought the owner and asked if he could join their crew. The owner didn’t have much to pay Steve, but agreed to trade hours of training as payment. After a year of learning and countless flights, Steve earned his pilot license and was able to save enough to buy his first balloon that held two to four people. Alongside wife Cindy, Steve Wilkinson’s passion for hot air balloons has grown and developed the successful business. Justin mirrors the passion of his father when explaining the ins and outs of the balloons and the science behind it all. Justin’s wife, Courteney, and their two daughters also share the fiery passion.
Today, the Wilkinsons have ten balloons of all different colors that can accommodate two to sixteen passengers. Riders of all ages can experience the excitement of floating into the sky and watching the sunrise over the Coachella Valley during the cooler winter months. From about October to May, you’ll see the balloons taking off and landing in various locations all over the valley. If you’re lucky, you might even witness a balloon land in your neighborhood.
During the summer months, the Wilkinsons leave the desert and compete in hot air balloon racing circuits all over the country. Justin admits, “the racing season is where [they] have some real fun.” Navigating through obstacle courses via gps and provided coordinates, the Wilkinsons and pilots challenge their skills in a variety of ways. After the racing, trophies, and showcasing their stud pilots, it’s back to the desert for more rides.
Emrey and Elle travel with their family around the country to balloon shows. Emrey shared that her favorite event is in Reno because it always takes place around her birthday. When asked if she wants to be a pilot like her dad someday, her answer is, “No, I want to collect the money,” to which Courteney interjects, “She likes the business of balloons and talking to customers. They respond really well to her, too.” Elle, the youngest, enjoys riding with her dad, having taken her first flight in Panama at the age of 2. She likes the special shape balloons, but her favorite is her dad’s patriotic balloon named MERICA.
When the Wilkinsons aren’t racing or flying passengers around the valley, they also host The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Cathedral City. Their 5th annual festival will take place November 16th-18th. Justin Wilkinson says, “Pilots and balloon enthusiasts come from all over the world to participate in the festival’s events.” There you can find food trucks, balloon rides, a “Kids Zone,” a night time balloon glow and the friendly faces of the Wilkinsons.
For more information about balloon flights with Fantasy Balloons, go to http://www.fantasyballoonflight.com/. For more information on the 5th Annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, go to https://www.hotairballoonfest.com/.
