This area’s premier tourist attraction…Balloons Over Vermilion…is back. And Jeanie Cooke, Executive Director of the Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, expects big crowds. ‘’We had around 20-thousand over the weekend last year, and I would expect that to increase a little this year. The amount of interest we’re getting, and the amount of calls and questions is enormous – so we’re very excited,’’ says Cooke.
Thirty-one hot air balloons and two special shaped balloons are participating in the event today and Saturday at the Vermilion Regional Airport. Cooke says Balloons Over Vermilion will have a big economic impact on the county this weekend. ‘’All our hotels are full, and of course that’s a very large impact. People who stay in the hotels eat in restaurants, fill up their gas tanks. It’s a very nice impact for us,’’ said Cooke during an interview with VermilionCountyFirst.com News.
And Cooke says people come from all over to enjoy the event. ‘’And, in fact, we have at least two or three family reunions. I know we have one reunion group that’s bringing 25 relatives. We have another that will have over 100 relatives here. So I guess it’s becoming a time to come home.’’
In addition to the scheduled balloon flights this evening (Friday, July 14th) and on Saturday morning and evening, there are lots of things to enjoy on the grounds of the Vermilion Regional Airport. Those events include everything from an antique car show, live music and the Jesse White Tumbling Team to tethered balloon rides and balloon glows.
