In a recent phone conversation, Reineke shared some interesting information about Pegleg Pete. The balloon is more than 85 feet in height. The envelope alone weighs 500 pounds; add on the basket and the total weight comes to 1,100 pounds. The balloon’s basket, which hangs between Pegleg Pete’s “real” leg and “wooden” leg, is equipped with three gas tanks and is large enough to accommodate the pilot and two passengers.

The husband-and-wife team have been involved in ballooning since 1978. That is when Reineke took his first hot air balloon ride and became hooked on the sport of ballooning. He received his pilot’s license in 1981; they bought their first hot air balloon in 1982. Kathy got her license in 1983.

The first special-shape balloon the Reinekes bought was Mr. Potato Head, which “delighted young and old from Maine to Nevada, Canada and even New Zealand during his three seasons. Bud E. Beaver took to the skies in July 2004,” according to the Reineke’s website at www.pirateparrotballoon.com. Mr. Potato Head was featured in an earlier Great Falls Balloon Festival.

The Reinekes bought Pegleg Pete last year. “The balloon is well designed – from the belt buckle on the front to the dagger on the back and the colorful feathers. The balloon is easier to handle and the lightest balloon I’ve owned,” said Reineke. “It’s also the easiest to put into flight.”

Each time the Reinekes participate in the Great Falls Balloon Festival, they are provided with a local crew. Reineke looks forward to working with the local crew and enjoys having some of the same dedicated crew members return each year.

When asked what it is like to fly a special-shaped balloon compared to a plain-shaped one, Reineke compared it to driving a bus. “Flying a shaped balloon is like driving a bus as opposed to driving a car. It takes a little getting used to, but is a lot of fun.”

This year’s Great Falls Balloon Festival will make the third or fourth time that the Reinekes visit the Lewiston-Auburn area. “We’ve always enjoyed finding things to do in the area,” said Reineke. “This year we are going to try to come up a day early so we can visit Maine’s coast, maybe Acadia or Bar Harbor.” He also said that eating Maine lobster is high on their list of things to do while in our great state.