Balloons Over Vermilion is bringing some much-needed relief for the local tourism industry. So says Jeanie Cooke, Director of the Danville Area Visitors Bureau, who notes the Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact this past year on tourism….
{AUDIO: ‘’It’s really been devastating. We had empty hotels, literally. It impacted restaurants. It impacted sales taxes. It impacted a tremendous amount of different sectors.}
But now, Cooke says local tourism is recovering…..
{AUDIO: ‘’Certainly Balloons Over Vermilion will help get it back. Our summer events – Danville Dans bring people from all over the country. So our summer events starting – going all the way through August with our American Legion State Golf Tournament,’’ said Cooke. ‘’So, with events back, we’re beginning to see a turnaround in this industry which suffered more than any industry in our country during this time.}
Cooke says Balloons Over Vermilion is having a positive impact on the Danville area following a year in which tourism was pretty much shut down….
{AUDIO: ‘’The coverage it gets on social media and news – and all over the place – you can’t purchase that kind of positive marketing. So that’s a great thing to have happen, but it’s also an impact – because of so many people coming in from out of town – it’s a financial impact. They’ll stop and get gas or they stop and grab something to eat on the way into town, or before they get out there. So, it’s just wonderful. There’s no down side to Balloons Over Vermilion.’’}
(The photo above is from the 2019 Balloons Over Vermilion.)
Over 30 hot air balloons are scheduled to participate in mass ascents from the Vermilion Regional Airport on Friday and Saturday evening, July 9th and 10th, 2021…weather permitting. Other attractions at the airport during the event include a carnival, balloon glows (weather permitting), a Kids Zone, live entertainment, Balloon School, tethered balloon rides, and food vendors and a beer tent. More information can be found at balloonsoververmilion.com.
