When #BojiKites founder Steve Boote had the vision to bring giant kites to Winter Games, he connected with mega kite nerd Blake Pelton. Blake was the first to decorate the sky over frozen Lake Okoboji in 2019 during what was intended to be an introductory “training course” to teach Steve about the piles of kites he had purchased—and how to fly them. The dynamic duo quickly evolved from “teacher and student” into a collaboration that made #BojiKites a staple of Winter Games.
The overwhelmingly positive response from attendees inspired Steve to dedicate countless hours of work, along with significant amounts of his own money and resources, to kick-start the amazing spectacle we know and love today. While Steve handled much of the heavy lifting, Blake orchestrated the recruitment of top kite talent from around the world to join this incredible event in northern Iowa.
Beyond wrangling big kites into the sky, Blake wears many hats and does a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work to bring #BojiKites to life. He has been deeply involved in designing, developing, and sourcing the creators of several kites featured in the #BojiKites fleet. Blake also manages travel, lodging, and transportation for incoming international kite fliers. From sewing kites to drilling holes in the ice, Blake has poured his heart and soul into making this event a success!