Best Events - A Call For Nominations
In this issue Balloon Life talks with successful balloon event promoters to get their thoughts on how to create a successful festival. In addition we review two books that can help any organizer establish a blueprint to guide their event into the 21st century.
Back in July Balloon Life reported on what you thought were important ingredients, as a participant, to a successful balloon event.
Now, Balloon Life is asking for your input. We want to know which balloon events are the best in the world. From small events to mega ones like Albuquerque. The event need not be a flying event, it can include safety seminars for example. The event can be anywhere in the world.
There are only a few requirements:
First, the event must be balloon related.
Second, the event must have taken place in 1997.
Third, the nominator must have been a participants or spectator. Event staff cannot nominate their own event.
Fourth, your nomination must be in writing, double spaced, and be no more than 1,000 words. You may send it by mail, fax, or e-mail. Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address.
Fifth, your nomination must be received by Balloon Life on or before January 5, 1998.
The nominations will be judged by a panel and their decisions announced in the March 1998 issue.
While there will be winners in several categories we have intentionally not named them. We want to know what you think are the best balloon events and why.
Put your thinking cap on, sit down, and start justifying why you attend the balloon events you do. Then be sure to read the March 1998 issue to discover which are the Best Balloon Events in the World.
What has ballooning done for me?
The following story was sent to us by Robert Redinger who lives in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. He crewed for Alan and Deb Zimkus for three years before they moved to Rochester, Michigan. The material is from a newspaper article which appeared in the Livingston County Press, July 2, 1997.
On June 21, a lighting strike cut power to a woman's home near Genoa Township, Michigan. The loss of power cut the wheelchair bound resident off from the outside and left her fearing for the worst.
That night the woman lay in bed unable to use her phone or her emergency notification system connected to a nearby hospital. Worried, she got little sleep.
By morning the skies cleared. She had a thought, the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest in Howell was taking place. Maybe, like last year a balloon would land in her yard and the crew would come and ask for permission.
Whether it was wishful thinking or the power of positive persuasion she heard the loud whooshing sound in her back yard. She rolled her wheelchair over to the window to see the balloon flying overhead and then a vehicle stop. A man came to the front door to ask for permission.
"Oh sure, but I need you to do something here for me. I'm kind of in a spot."
The balloon was Sweet Dreams owned by Alan and Deb Zimkus. Using the crew's cell phone a call was made and soon help was on the way. A second balloon landed a little later. While the story probably would have had a happy ending anyway, one balloon team was able to really brighten someone's day.
Tom Hamilton, Editor