Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival in serious need of volunteers

[August 11, 2012]  The Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival is all about people -- and volunteers. The annual festival is coming up the weekend of Aug. 24, 25 and 26. The signature event will have the entire city hopping with activity, from downtown Lincoln to the Postville Courthouse to the Logan County Airport. Balloon launches, amusement rides, flea markets, great food, barbecue, art and more make Lincoln the place to be in all of central Illinois the last weekend of the month.

But it takes more than great activities to make the weekend memorable for all who attend; it also takes volunteers -- hundreds of them -- to make sure the weekend goes smoothly for all the guests who visit Lincoln.

Andi Hake, executive director of the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, said there is concern with the current rate volunteers are signing up to help.

"If we were scheduled to have the Art & Balloon Festival today, we wouldn't be able to have it," she said. "We are that short of volunteers." Hake said at least 200 more volunteers are needed in all types of capacities that weekend.

She also pointed out that a volunteer doesn't have to give up the opportunity to enjoy all the events with their family and friends. Shifts in the morning, afternoon and evening on various days allow Logan County residents to help but still be able to personally enjoy the fun during the long weekend. There are also positions open for coordinators, who are essential to the smooth running of the festival. Weekend wristbands are given to each volunteer, and the week of the event there is a party for all the volunteers.

Anyone interested in finding out more about being a volunteer can call the chamber office at 217-735-2385 or go to the chamber website at www.lincolnillinois.com. (To sign up, click here.)