Preparations continue for this year’s Balloons Over Vermilion.
Last year the event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year it’s back. It will be held at the Vermilion Regional Airport on July 9th and 10th.
Jim Anderson (shown in photo) is one of the co-chairs of the event. He says a group of local balloon enthusiasts got together seven years ago and decided it was time to bring a hot air ballooning event back after a 15 year hiatus…
{AUDIO: ‘’The first four events have borne out the fact that we think we got it right because we’ve hosted increasing crowds each year. And we expect – given the pent-up demand in the community – we expect to break a record again this year.’’}
Something new at this year’s Balloons Over Vermilion is a carnival. And Jaclyn Vinson, (shown in photo) who chairs the kids activities for the event, says there will be yard games and other attractions….
{AUDIO: ‘’We’re going to have a miniature golf. Joyful Bubbles will be there – always a huge attraction, especially with the little kids doing their big bubble displays. And we’re going to have some really great, large vehicles with our ‘Touch a Truck’ program. We’re going to have some construction equipment. Aqua will be out there. We’ll probably have a very large tractor of some sort out there. Just some really great things to let the kids get up on those vehicles, see those vehicles and experience those – not just from driving by or reading about them in a book.’’}
Anderson and Vinson were commenting on WDAN Radio’s Newsmakers program on Monday. You can listen to the entire program by going to the podcast segment at Vermilioncountyfirst.com.
You can also get more information about Balloons Over Vermilion – including how you can become a volunteer – by visiting www.balloonsoververmilion.com.
