We are now one week away (May 29th to June 5th) from Balloons Over Vermilion at its new location, Kennekuk County Park. Recently on D102’s The Big Show, Tommy B brought in the two people who led the way for getting an area balloon festival going again about a decade ago. Jim Anderson recalled a phone call he received from Pat O’Shaughnessy.
AUDIO: I think I remember getting a phone call from Patrick; saying “we’re going to put a meeting together. Do you want to join us?” and I said, “Ya, sure.” You never know what Pat’s meetings are going to end up like. And, low and behold; it was Patrick, it was Larry Owen, Dean Carlton, Doug Ahrens, Linda Bolton was there. And at that point and time, I knew when I walked in the door, I said “this has got to have something to do with balloons.
O’Shaughnessy recalled that when the previous balloon event stopped, there were some young pilots just starting out who didn’t want it to end. And the key was getting a team together to fly once again.
AUDIO: You know I give Dean Carlton and Larry Owen credit. They kept up; for 15 years after the Balloon Classic stopped. Dean was just a rookie at the Balloon Classic; just a few years, maybe, that he flew in that event. So, when it ended, he was like; “wait,wait, I’m a balloonist!” (We) got a bunch of guys together that care about the community; to bring it back. It came back, and it’s been going strong every year.
This year’s new location and earlier time will include the new kite and drone shows, as well as the Saturday morning Up and Away 5K. Just go to balloonsoververmilion.com for more.
To hear all of Tommy B’s talk with Jim and Pat, please go to https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/big-show-bites-podcast/
