The 2004 Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival, hosted by The Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, was declared a significant financial success for the entire community by Richard Slagle, Interim President of the Chamber.

The three-day event is estimated to have made a $2.5 million impact on the local economy. Using data collected during the event, it is estimated that 71,500 people attended the second-year  festival and competitive balloon event at Smith Park.

Volunteers assisted in collection of data used to compile the attendance report. The economic impact includes not only dollars spent at the festival by those attending, but by the Chamber’s committee in presenting the event, the vendors purchasing supplies, salaries paid to workers, taxes paid to local governments, spending in local retail shops, gas stations, hotels and restaurants.

Mr. Slagle pointed out that, “Balloon pilots alone spend a large amount buying meals for their balloon crew members. Propane purchased by the Chamber to fuel the balloons is another significant expense as are the hotel rooms required for out of town balloon pilots and tournament officials. Many local businesses benefit from a large event such as the Ohio Challenge.”

A part of the economic impact was to the area non-profit organizations selling food on site or partnering with professional food vendors.  Each food vendor was required to be a non-profit organization or to donate 10% of profits derived from on-site sales to a local non-profit group as a part of their agreement with the Ohio Challenge organizers.

A sampling of those attending also showed a shift in the source of the dollars. In 2003, a larger percentage of the guests at Ohio Challenge were from the local area. In 2004, more people came from outside the immediate area, which brings outside dollars into the area thus building the local economy even more.

Tracking the times when people attended the event showed that there are a few very early risers –5% of the total crowd attended the early morning flights. Another 18% came during the middle hours of Noon to 4 p.m. and the bulk of the crowd, 77%,  arrived in the evening to enjoy the balloon flights, concerts and evening balloon glows.

Now that 2004 Ohio Challenge is finished, planning has already begun on the next balloon event.  Dates for 2005 Ohio Challenge will be July 22, 23 and 24, 2005.

The Chamber’s Chairperson for the 2005 event is long-time community volunteer Ginger Bruggeman, representing the United Way. Mrs. Bruggeman has served on the 2003 and 2004 Ohio Challenge committees as well as several Chamber committees including the Chamber Ambassadors. She has also been heavily involved in many community events and volunteer projects.  She is a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership training program.