Hot Air Festival folds after two years

Van Wert independent/submitted information

While there have some successes with a two-year-old revival of the former Hot Air Affair hot air balloon festival, those successes are not enough to have  a third edition of the festival, organizers say.

“The two-year effort at attempting to revive the once very successful Hot Air Affair has ended with moderate success and can now be logged into Van Wert’s history of past events,” said Ann Marshall, chairman of the event committee.

Marshall and event organizer Jerry Mazur thanked the many businesses, groups and individuals who lent financial support or traded services, leading to the success of this year’s Hot Air Festival. Further, they express their gratitude and appreciation to the many department chairpersons who assembled the large number of volunteers necessary to manage such a huge undertaking.  At last count, more than 100 volunteers donated their time over the three days of the event.

Marshall and Mazur are confident that this event was an economic success, in that more than $40,000 was redistributed to many local businesses, youth groups, and community service and religious organizations.

The local economy was further stimulated by drawing many hundreds of visitors to the Van Wert area, with hotels, restaurants and service stations all reaping financial benefits from those coming to the festival.

Marshall, representing the Van Wert County Agricultural Society (Fair Board), and Mazur, representing the Van Wert County Regional Airport Authority, are pleased to report that, financially, this year’s event ended with a small profit. The Fair Board and Airport Authority, as hosts of the event, will share 50 percent of the profits, with the balance being distributed to several other groups, including the Civil Air Patrol, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Buckeye Y and Challenged Higher Peer Group, all of which provided manpower or services during the event. A small portion of the profits will remain in The Van Wert County Foundation’s Airport Festival Fund to be used for future events, such as those related to aviation educational events.

Although she was somewhat pleased with the small profit this year, Marshall was sad to report the results did not meet the objectives of the event’s business plan, which was to have enough profits available each year in order to provide seed money for the ensuing year’s event. The business plan was to have The Hot Air Festival become self sufficient and less dependent on local business and private contributions for financial support.

“Many do not understand the expense associated with presenting an event such as the Hot Air Festival,” Mazur said. The 18 balloons at the festival this year cost about $21,000, which includes hotel and meals.  Advertising, port-a-johns, tents, electrical services and other items added another $20,000. Throw in the free entertainment offered this year and the cost goes up another $13,000.

This year’s event offered two trackless train rides, a petting zoo, face painting, a rifle range all of which were free to the spectators; however, those activities were not free to the committee and ran the cost of the event up another $3,000.

“Toss in another $6,500 for fireworks, trash removal and others expenses and you’ll find we are exceeding $63,000 for a three day event,” Mazur noted.

He added that Van Wert needs events and venues like the Van Wert County Fair, Apple Festival, Van Wert Rib Fest, Peony Festival, Holiday at Home activities, Wassenberg Art Center, the Niswonger Performing Arts Center and more.

“All events should be equally supported by the county and city governments,” Mazur said, adding, “The Economic Development Department and Convention and Visitors Bureau should be fully engaged in all such events.”

The more there is to draw people to town the more vibrant the economy becomes,” Mazur went on to say. “When business people see people in a town they see money being spent and want to get a piece of the action,” he added. “What better way is there to attract new businesses to a town than bringing in the masses?”