Before the sun rises, Rancho San Rafael Park is already bustling with activity as visitors seek out a prime viewing spot for the hot air balloons. A peaceful atmosphere is set by classical music, hinting at the spectacle about to unfold.
Among the participants, pilot Koh Murai diligently prepares the Firenzé balloon for launch. Initially, the balloon is filled with cold air while lying on its side. Following this, the burners are ignited, heating the air inside and gradually bringing the vibrant purple, yellow, blue, and teal balloon upright.
Murai hails from Yamhill, Oregon, and his passion for ballooning began unexpectedly in 1978. Recalling the moment, Murai said, “About 3:30 in the morning, he came over and was banging on my door … He said, ‘Well, one of my crew people can’t make it today. They have to go to work.’” This chance encounter led to a nearly five-decade-long journey in the skies.
Now a retired chemical engineer, Murai returns to the Great Reno Balloon Race for the 35th time, accompanied by family, friends, and even his grandchildren, who assist with the balloon operations. “There’s six generations of balloonists that have come and gone through my time,” Murai shared. “It’s a family thing.”
As the Glow Show concludes, I join Murai in the basket of Firenzé. We ascend with other balloons, offering a panoramic view of the park below. Murai engages with the onlookers, waving and chatting as we float above.
A memorable moment occurs when Murai skillfully maneuvers the balloon over a pond, allowing the basket to skim the water’s surface. Ducks scatter below as water droplets cling to the basket. Murai reminisced, “I flew out of here once, there were a whole lot of people here trying to take pictures, and a drop lands dead center in the middle of one guys’ glasses and he says, ‘You got water on me.’”
The flight concludes with a landing near McCarran Boulevard, where Murai’s crew swiftly gathers the balloon. If favorable weather continues, Murai plans to continue flying throughout the weekend, relying on what he refers to as “Mother Nature.”
