MONROE — For more than 30 years, an event involving music, family activities and a lot of hot air has provided entertainment to county residents and visitors from hundreds of miles away.

The Monroe Balloon & Blues Festival, an annual tradition that started in 1986, is doing well, said Nikolaus Faessler, president of The Arc-Green County. The organization decided to adopt the event in 2016 after it wasn’t held in 2015. 

“It’s done well over all the years,” Faessler said. “It’s not your big, big gathering like Cheese Days. It’s truly a nice event.”

Pete Condon, who serves as a member of the group, was busy setting up Wednesday at the Green County Fairgrounds. He said Arc is optimistic about its large annual fundraiser. 

The Arc-Green County supports individuals “with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” Faessler said funds from the group go toward local programming, like a swimming program organized with Monroe Recreation Director Marge Klinzing for “years and years.” He said they also help area schools in Brodhead and Juda by purchasing books and chairs that allow for more movement to be used by students with disabilities. 

“We wish we could provide more to the area,” Faessler said, but noted the group needs to connect with more institutions to find additional projects. “We have a small staff, but they are very dedicated.”

In 2017, Emmi Roth was the main sponsor of the festival. This year, Klondike Cheese Company serves as the crown sponsor. The crown refers to the top-most portion of a hot air balloon. Condon said the group has no complaints over cheese factories serving as big sponsors of the event. 

“We’re proud of being in Wisconsin and proud of being part of the ag community,” Condon said. 

Though both Faessler and Condon expressed their excitement at hosting the event over Father’s Day weekend, they also noted that the event depends largely on whether the weather chooses to cooperate. 

Faessler said as a farmer and an organizer of the fundraiser, he checks the weather too frequently. Last year, they planned to host the annual glow of the balloons on the ground despite the weather preventing any pilots from going into the air, but Faessler said a big storm rolled in and ruined even those plans. As long as the wind remains below 15 mph, Condon said the balloons should fly. 

There are other things to occupy time at the balloon rally, even when the wind ruins pilots’ plans. 

Faessler said the group has organized a good lineup of bands, which Condon said are scouted by local Jimmy Voegeli of band The Jimmys. On Friday, the evening begins with pony rides for children and, if weather agrees, a balloon launch will happen at 6 p.m. Live music from the Madtown Mannish Boys, followed by a Condon favorite, the award-winning Alex Wilson Band, will continue into the night until 10 p.m. The glow is planned for 8:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds track.

The festival requires an early Saturday morning to see the balloons launch as the sun rises at 6 a.m. But attendees get to take part in the pancake breakfast until 10 a.m., and the day continues with a number of activities, from the classic car show to the crafts fair to more pony rides, live music and another launch and glow by pilots.