In a few days, a summer tradition will resume in Monroe. Well, actually, summer doesn't officially begin until Sunday, but it's unofficially summer to most of us.
There will be hot-air balloons flying over the city and Green County once again. In the dead of winter, when the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) board voted not to take the financial risk of having another balloon rally, it was difficult to envision such a sight. So the return of the balloons will be a welcome sight worth celebrating.
Matt Urban, former MCCI director, deserves most of the credit.
The balloon rally truly was Urban's pet project when he was the Chamber's director. And he has been the public face of the event's revival the past few months. As president of a nonprofit community group Monroe Balloon Rally Inc., Urban and others stepped in shortly after the Chamber's decision to make sure the 24th annual rally actually got off the ground.
On Friday, it will.
The end result of the group's effort is a shorter rally - two days versus four - with fewer sponsored balloons - 15 as of Tuesday compared to 22 last year - but a full slate of activities for people to enjoy Friday and Saturday at the Green County Fairgrounds. There will midway concessions, games and food, along with an arts and crafts fair and a classic car exhibit at the fairgrounds. Live bands will play Saturday afternoon, and there are balloon glows scheduled on Friday and Saturday nights. A pancake breakfast is set for Saturday morning. (Look to Thursday's Times for a complete schedule of events.)
Urban said Monroe Balloon Rally, Inc., met its goals for event sponsors, thanks in great part to the event's major donors, Swiss Colony and Glanbia Nutritionals.
The rally's future beyond this weekend is far from solidified. Urban describes the group as being in "an uncertain stage as it attempts to fly on its own. We are transitioning to become a truly community-based event designed to build on the pride we already have in our community," he said in an e-mail newsletter.
Hopefully, the community supports the efforts. There was significant outcry and disappointment when the balloon rally appeared grounded. Those who were upset then should remember that feeling, and do everything they can to celebrate and support the balloon rally's return this weekend.
There will be hot-air balloons flying over the city and Green County once again. In the dead of winter, when the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) board voted not to take the financial risk of having another balloon rally, it was difficult to envision such a sight. So the return of the balloons will be a welcome sight worth celebrating.
Matt Urban, former MCCI director, deserves most of the credit.
The balloon rally truly was Urban's pet project when he was the Chamber's director. And he has been the public face of the event's revival the past few months. As president of a nonprofit community group Monroe Balloon Rally Inc., Urban and others stepped in shortly after the Chamber's decision to make sure the 24th annual rally actually got off the ground.
On Friday, it will.
The end result of the group's effort is a shorter rally - two days versus four - with fewer sponsored balloons - 15 as of Tuesday compared to 22 last year - but a full slate of activities for people to enjoy Friday and Saturday at the Green County Fairgrounds. There will midway concessions, games and food, along with an arts and crafts fair and a classic car exhibit at the fairgrounds. Live bands will play Saturday afternoon, and there are balloon glows scheduled on Friday and Saturday nights. A pancake breakfast is set for Saturday morning. (Look to Thursday's Times for a complete schedule of events.)
Urban said Monroe Balloon Rally, Inc., met its goals for event sponsors, thanks in great part to the event's major donors, Swiss Colony and Glanbia Nutritionals.
The rally's future beyond this weekend is far from solidified. Urban describes the group as being in "an uncertain stage as it attempts to fly on its own. We are transitioning to become a truly community-based event designed to build on the pride we already have in our community," he said in an e-mail newsletter.
Hopefully, the community supports the efforts. There was significant outcry and disappointment when the balloon rally appeared grounded. Those who were upset then should remember that feeling, and do everything they can to celebrate and support the balloon rally's return this weekend.
