MONROE - This Father's Day weekend was to be its 30th anniversary, but the organizer of the Monroe Balloon Rally at the Green County Fairgrounds has put the event "on pause."
Matt Urban, who has been part of the rally since its inception, announced after last summer's event that 2015 would likely be an off year unless an organization stepped up to play a major role in its production. That did not happen, so Monday he announced the cancellation on the event's website.
"Without a succession plan, a break was needed," he said. "What we need to see is someone step up with a real vested interest in this. It needs year-round energy.
"The rally has grown and so have its needs, especially administratively. Things like the website, permitting, fairgrounds contracts, and much more."
Whether or not the event will resume in 2016 is uncertain, Urban said.
"Sometimes something needs to go away for a year in order to see if people want it back," he said.
Urban did emphasize that support has not wavered one bit.
"Phenomenal people have always stepped up," he said. "But it might be nice to give everyone a year off to catch their breath. Maybe we should rotate it every-other year opposite of Cheese Days - and that's been discussed - because then you can tell a volunteer, "We didn't ask you last year and we're not going to ask you next year.'"
The event has drawn as many as 50 balloonists at its zenith, back when the Honda Grand Prix's international competition coincided with Monroe's rally. At ground level, a midway, a carousel, craft fairs, car shows and blues music have accompanied the balloons over the years.
Last year's rally featured 15 hot-air balloons, and was hindered by unpredictable weather.
Noreen Rueckert, Green County's tourism director, said the rally will be missed, calling it a well-loved event.
"It's unique and certainly not everyone has one," she said. "For the county, it was definitely a signature event."
She also knew it could be a difficult process.
"For many years (Urban) faced challenges in finding volunteers and sponsors, along with the unknown wildcard - the weather," Rueckert said. "His dedication and leadership is to be commended."
Matt Urban, who has been part of the rally since its inception, announced after last summer's event that 2015 would likely be an off year unless an organization stepped up to play a major role in its production. That did not happen, so Monday he announced the cancellation on the event's website.
"Without a succession plan, a break was needed," he said. "What we need to see is someone step up with a real vested interest in this. It needs year-round energy.
"The rally has grown and so have its needs, especially administratively. Things like the website, permitting, fairgrounds contracts, and much more."
Whether or not the event will resume in 2016 is uncertain, Urban said.
"Sometimes something needs to go away for a year in order to see if people want it back," he said.
Urban did emphasize that support has not wavered one bit.
"Phenomenal people have always stepped up," he said. "But it might be nice to give everyone a year off to catch their breath. Maybe we should rotate it every-other year opposite of Cheese Days - and that's been discussed - because then you can tell a volunteer, "We didn't ask you last year and we're not going to ask you next year.'"
The event has drawn as many as 50 balloonists at its zenith, back when the Honda Grand Prix's international competition coincided with Monroe's rally. At ground level, a midway, a carousel, craft fairs, car shows and blues music have accompanied the balloons over the years.
Last year's rally featured 15 hot-air balloons, and was hindered by unpredictable weather.
Noreen Rueckert, Green County's tourism director, said the rally will be missed, calling it a well-loved event.
"It's unique and certainly not everyone has one," she said. "For the county, it was definitely a signature event."
She also knew it could be a difficult process.
"For many years (Urban) faced challenges in finding volunteers and sponsors, along with the unknown wildcard - the weather," Rueckert said. "His dedication and leadership is to be commended."