[AUG. 29, 2005] Most evidences, signs, tents, porta-potties --
everything needed to host thousands of visitors to our community --
have disappeared. Hardly a trace remains of one of Lincoln's two
largest annual events. The Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival follows
close on the heels of the Logan County Fair. Both are in the month
of August.
Today, all that remains are many great memories of what some are
terming the best art and balloon festival in Lincoln's history.
Numerous entities host the weekend activities, but the
Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce serves as the primary
sponsor and coordinator.
“Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival organizers are in high spirits
after a very successful festival weekend,” said Bobbi Abbott,
executive director of the chamber of commerce. “The crowds were
great. The weather was great. Most of the vendors, sponsors,
volunteers and participants had nothing but compliments.”
She added: “We know we have some 'tweaking' ahead of us, especially
with the traffic flow. It wasn't perfect, but it was a very good
start and we'll be building on experience now rather than just
speculating. We could not have asked for a better first year at the
airport.”
The festival has grown over the years from the simple artists
show started by the Lincoln Woman's Club in Latham Park to four days
of events that include hot-air balloons, tasting Illinois wines, an
1800s craft fair with historical presentations, arts and crafts,
antiques and collectibles, kids' activities, live entertainment in
numerous locations, car races, food, and more. The four days of
activities are spread out over the entire town.
Gloom and rain dampened attendance at the pre-event hosted by
Maple Ridge Care Centre on Thursday and continued to threaten
activities scheduled on Friday. Preliminary flights on Thursday
evening and Friday morning were scrubbed.
Crowds were light as the skies opened at the last minute,
permitting the first balloon launch at the airport on Friday
evening. But on Saturday the weather was clear and the crowds at the
airport picked up significantly all day long. By evening it appeared
to have attained the standard large crowd status of previous record
years.
The only problem noted over the weekend was getting cars into the
airport grounds. Lincoln experienced its first-ever major traffic
jam on Saturday evening around 5:30. Event organizers will be
working on eliminating that issue for next year.
However, even
those delayed from seeing the launch could still see the balloons.
Like on Friday night, when there was little wind, the balloons hung
close and moved slowly, landing in full view to the east. The mass
view was picturesque.
Those who missed the flights did get to see a great balloon glow
in the stillness of the evening as the Lincoln skies darkened and
temperatures cooled.
On Sunday morning it was a chilly 55 degrees, but spectacular
clear, calm weather permitted another, final balloon flight.
All hot-air balloon launches and glows took place as scheduled
and the forecast for rain did not materialize. The three-day event
ended on a high note as hot-air balloons took to the sky for an
extra flight on Sunday night to provide paid rides to the public,
Abbott said.
Downtown crowds were steady and made for pleasant viewing,
participation and visiting all weekend.
Logan County Emergency Management Agency reported that there were
no real problems over the weekend. They treated a couple of minor
injuries and helped find a misplaced mom on Saturday evening at the
airport.
Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce events coordinator Debra
Rohrer summed it up as follows:
“For my first year to be involved with the Lincoln Art & Balloon
Festival, I'm in awe! As events coordinator for the Lincoln/Logan
County Chamber of Commerce, I am so thankful for wonderful co-chairs
and the committee members, generous sponsors, and the endless hours
put in by community volunteers. This has been a learning year and
one that we will not soon forget. Now... we have a full year ahead
of us to sort out all of suggestions and comments.
“I've said for three months now that I'm looking forward to 2006
because all the unknowns will be the known. We ask everyone to be
patient with us and please join us again in the coming years.
“For me personally, this has been an awesome experience, and I feel
like we, as a committee, flew with the balloons. It has been my
pleasure to work a great chamber staff and a great community.
