What makes a great balloon event?
Last July Balloon Life contributing editor Mike Rose published the
results of a survey on balloon events that he conducted. The question? "What
do you expect in return for participating in a balloon event?"by Tom Hamilton
What makes a great balloon event?
Last July Balloon Life contributing editor Mike Rose published the
results of a survey on balloon events that he conducted. The question? "What
do you expect in return for participating in a balloon event?"
The 84 responses hit upon three main themes: Treatment of crew; communications between organizer and attendee; and honestyin particular, good weather briefing.
This raised the question at Balloon Life, what is the best event and why? As part of Balloon Life's Special Report in October on making balloon events successful in the 21st century, a call for nominations to find the best balloon event was issued. The rules were fairly simply: event must be balloon related; must have taken place in 1997; nominator must have participated and not be on staff; nomination must have been written and no more than one-thousand words; and must have been received by January 5, 1998 at Balloon Life.
The winner of the First Annual Balloon Life Best Balloon Event award is Hersheypark Balloonfest, Hershey, Pennsylvania. What made this event stand above all the rest? Here is what the nominators had to say.
"The Hersheypark Balloonfest is about getting back to the basics of flying hot air balloons. Drifting over the beautiful autumn countryside of central Pennsylvania, being with your friends and family, and knowing that the entire premise behind the event is to support you and your enjoyment of safe flying... well, it just doesn't get any better.
"World class weather provided by Dr. Richard Clark meteorology professor from Millersville University. Attending one of his briefings is like taking a mini-seminar. He doesn't just tell you what the weather is doing, he explains why. If the previous flight's weather was not as forecasted he will explain why.
"More than $5,000 in `prize money' is spent on pilot and crew." 80 percent of the prize is allotted to pilots and 20 percent to crew. Names are drawn randomly from two separate hats, the person whose name is drawn is given the opportunity to draw from a prize hat. These prizes range from a 27 inch color television to balloon motif music boxes. The final drawing is for the television which only a crew member is eligible for.
"All of the amenities that the pilots enjoy are also extended to all crew members (limited to four crew).
"Every element of the event is first class; from the accommodations to the quality and quantity of the three meals a day provided during the event. And, no, it's not all chocolate covered this-or-that; we're talking shrimp, roast beef, numerous varieties of pasta, fresh fruit and steamed vegetables. Served in a special tent with plenty of seating and heating.
"Hershey is in the rolling hills and farmland of central Pennsylvania, and the event takes place at the height of the fall foliage season. With the Susquehanna River to the west and the Amish countryside to the East, it's a beautiful setting.
"The festival provides each pilot with a landowner pack for each flight.
"Rain or shine, there's lots to do when you're not flying. Right at the launch field there are radio-controlled airplanes, live bands, and arts and craft booths. Or you can visit the attractions in and around Hershey, such as the Hershey Museum, Hershey Hotel, and of course, Chocolate World, a ride that explains how the famous candy is made.
"Balloonmeister Don Dillon goes to great lengths to make this a balloon event that caters to crew. At registration, there's a crew pack as well as a traditional pilot pack.
"Hersheypark sponsors are appreciative and generousand the chocolate is the `icing on the cake.'"
The wonderful amenities provided to pilots and crew was the main theme echoed throughout the many event nominations that were received. Other frequently mentioned benefits included wonderful flying areas, first class hotels, no pressure flying, and short drives to the launch field.
In addition to Hersheypark Balloonfest being named Balloon Life's Best Balloon Event for 1997, three honorable mentions are being awarded. They go to:
Lake Champlain Balloon Festival in Burlington, Vermont;
Gatesway International Balloon Festival, Tulsa, Oklahoma;
Festival de Montgolfieres, St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
Balloon Life received nominations for more than 20 events in the United States and Canada. If there were any surprises, it was the lack of nominations for events that are often referred to as exceptional. Nor were any Safety Seminars nominated.
Many of the nominations would have made wonderful articles about the event. In the future some of these articles will make it to our web site for all to see. When the nomination/articles are posted, you will be advised in a future editor's column.
With the rally season just beginning, start thinking about your nominations for the 1998 Best Balloon Event Awards. Soon after your favorite event is over, write your nomination and mail it to Balloon Life. Your nomination might even make our Logbook section. If we use the nomination in Logbook, you not only assure that your favorite event will be considered but you will get paid for the article and photographs used.
With the announcement of the 1998 contest, and in anticipation of many more entries, is also the announcement of categories. In addition to the best event(s) for 1998, there will be a best regional event category for each region in our calendar of events. Also a category for best Safety Seminar in 1998.
Rules will be the same for 1998 as 1997. Entry deadline is January 4, 1999. Congratulations to Hersheypark Balloonfest for 1997. And start sending in your 1998 nomination now!
