MONROE - Put the Monroe Balloon Rally for 2009 back on the list of the city's community events.
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced Feb. 4 that it could no longer direct the event because it anticipated budget shortfalls of about $5,000. The group also cited lack of volunteers as a major reason the event would not be possible this year.
But on Friday, Matt Urban of Monroe announced the Monroe Balloon Rally was taking shape as its own association.
Scheduled for June at the fairgrounds in Monroe, this year will be the Rally's 24th annual event.
Urban, an experienced balloonist himself and former executive director of the Chamber, has been working to get balloonists and sponsors lined up, but also getting not-for-profit status for a new, independent Monroe Balloon Rally association.
"Our goal is to move ahead - first, by bringing together local community organizations and clubs and past business sponsors, and second, to get not-for-profit status," Urban said.
Raising the Monroe Balloon Rally to become an entity in its own right allows three important aspects in the event's structure, Urban said.
"It helps further reduce the cost of hosting; it maximizes volunteers and the efforts of clubs and organizations; and it allows the event to expand in ways only an open area will accommodate," he said.
As a not-for-profit organization, donations to the event will be tax deductible.
"We have other elements in the works, but right now what has been consistent is the overall enthusiasm and support of the community," Urban said. "Any member of the community who wants to be vested in the Monroe Balloon Rally can make a small donation to help underwrite the cost of hosting the event in 2009."
The June date is still not confirmed, Urban said, adding that if any other organization wants to set a date, the Rally would work around it.
"Out of respect for the community, we first wanted to see if there were any barricades to doing it this year," Urban said.
June 20 is the date for the Green County Dairy Days to be in Monroe, but Urban said he saw no conflicts with consolidating the events.
"Monroe has hosted both before," he said.
Urban has been contacting local businesses for new or expanded commitment, "with the support of the Chamber and the hard work MCCI did in the past.
"I think the key is talking to organizations and to announce this publicly, rather than having different businesses find out at different times," Urban said.
The Rally is gaining sponsorship with organizations and groups, or "stakeholders," as Urban called them, by "carving out win/win agreements."
"Glanbia Nutritionals has, as of Thursday, renewed their commitment to be the major sponsor," Urban said.
So far, past sponsors are willing to commit again to their participating balloonists, who are calling to ask if they would, he said.
Committed to organizing an arts and crafts show is the Monroe Hockey Association and SLICE.
Green County Pork Producers and the Lion's Club are partnering to provide food and drinks, and another organization has stepped forward to handle parking and contribute extra staffing.
The core schedule for the Rally will remain as it has in past years, with extra events being added.
Friday night will lift off the rally with a balloon flight, followed by the popular balloon glow at 8:30 p.m. The Green County Pork Producers will continue to serve their famous pork dinners.
Saturday starts at 6 a.m. with a balloon flight and a pancake breakfast running from 6 to 11 a.m.
At noon, food and drinks will make a transition to the food court with the Lion's Club partnership, and other local non-profit organizations and clubs featured, selling snacks and beverages. The court will also be open to area restaurants to participate.
Saturday will continue focused on the fairgrounds of expanded events.
The arts and crafts fair starts at about 9 a.m. and runs throughout the day.
Area bands will bring the tempo up at 2 p.m. leading into the evening balloon launch at 6 p.m. and a second balloon glow at 8:30 p.m.
Another theme for Saturday's events is emerging in the idea of transportation. Plans for a classic car show are being prepared. Owners are being invited to make the drive to the rally a cruise event, with a segregated area for owners to show off their vehicles while still poised to enjoy all the other activities.
Saturday will be an opportunity for Harley-Davidson motorcyclists to make the balloon rally their destination for the day, with segregated parking right in the center of the action.
"We are currently trying to organize to bring back activities, such as kite demonstrations and kite building workshops, the tethered balloon rides, and possibly other exhibits, which may include gliders and ultralights," Urban said.
Urban said a number of people are interested in the non-profit status of the rally. They are getting input about organization and structure from the Hudson Hot Air Affair, and are filing with the state.
"We just need to get our by-laws and charter, and a board," he said.
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced Feb. 4 that it could no longer direct the event because it anticipated budget shortfalls of about $5,000. The group also cited lack of volunteers as a major reason the event would not be possible this year.
But on Friday, Matt Urban of Monroe announced the Monroe Balloon Rally was taking shape as its own association.
Scheduled for June at the fairgrounds in Monroe, this year will be the Rally's 24th annual event.
Urban, an experienced balloonist himself and former executive director of the Chamber, has been working to get balloonists and sponsors lined up, but also getting not-for-profit status for a new, independent Monroe Balloon Rally association.
"Our goal is to move ahead - first, by bringing together local community organizations and clubs and past business sponsors, and second, to get not-for-profit status," Urban said.
Raising the Monroe Balloon Rally to become an entity in its own right allows three important aspects in the event's structure, Urban said.
"It helps further reduce the cost of hosting; it maximizes volunteers and the efforts of clubs and organizations; and it allows the event to expand in ways only an open area will accommodate," he said.
As a not-for-profit organization, donations to the event will be tax deductible.
"We have other elements in the works, but right now what has been consistent is the overall enthusiasm and support of the community," Urban said. "Any member of the community who wants to be vested in the Monroe Balloon Rally can make a small donation to help underwrite the cost of hosting the event in 2009."
The June date is still not confirmed, Urban said, adding that if any other organization wants to set a date, the Rally would work around it.
"Out of respect for the community, we first wanted to see if there were any barricades to doing it this year," Urban said.
June 20 is the date for the Green County Dairy Days to be in Monroe, but Urban said he saw no conflicts with consolidating the events.
"Monroe has hosted both before," he said.
Urban has been contacting local businesses for new or expanded commitment, "with the support of the Chamber and the hard work MCCI did in the past.
"I think the key is talking to organizations and to announce this publicly, rather than having different businesses find out at different times," Urban said.
The Rally is gaining sponsorship with organizations and groups, or "stakeholders," as Urban called them, by "carving out win/win agreements."
"Glanbia Nutritionals has, as of Thursday, renewed their commitment to be the major sponsor," Urban said.
So far, past sponsors are willing to commit again to their participating balloonists, who are calling to ask if they would, he said.
Committed to organizing an arts and crafts show is the Monroe Hockey Association and SLICE.
Green County Pork Producers and the Lion's Club are partnering to provide food and drinks, and another organization has stepped forward to handle parking and contribute extra staffing.
The core schedule for the Rally will remain as it has in past years, with extra events being added.
Friday night will lift off the rally with a balloon flight, followed by the popular balloon glow at 8:30 p.m. The Green County Pork Producers will continue to serve their famous pork dinners.
Saturday starts at 6 a.m. with a balloon flight and a pancake breakfast running from 6 to 11 a.m.
At noon, food and drinks will make a transition to the food court with the Lion's Club partnership, and other local non-profit organizations and clubs featured, selling snacks and beverages. The court will also be open to area restaurants to participate.
Saturday will continue focused on the fairgrounds of expanded events.
The arts and crafts fair starts at about 9 a.m. and runs throughout the day.
Area bands will bring the tempo up at 2 p.m. leading into the evening balloon launch at 6 p.m. and a second balloon glow at 8:30 p.m.
Another theme for Saturday's events is emerging in the idea of transportation. Plans for a classic car show are being prepared. Owners are being invited to make the drive to the rally a cruise event, with a segregated area for owners to show off their vehicles while still poised to enjoy all the other activities.
Saturday will be an opportunity for Harley-Davidson motorcyclists to make the balloon rally their destination for the day, with segregated parking right in the center of the action.
"We are currently trying to organize to bring back activities, such as kite demonstrations and kite building workshops, the tethered balloon rides, and possibly other exhibits, which may include gliders and ultralights," Urban said.
Urban said a number of people are interested in the non-profit status of the rally. They are getting input about organization and structure from the Hudson Hot Air Affair, and are filing with the state.
"We just need to get our by-laws and charter, and a board," he said.