EARLY ALERT - 2005
Primary sponsor –
MidFirst Credit Union
MIDDLETOWN, OHIO
Event: Third Annual Ohio Challenge
Hot Air Balloon Competition Event
Date/Time: Vendors/Entertainment
Friday, July 22 – 4 to 10:30 pm
Saturday, July 23 – Noon to 10:30 pm
Sunday, July 24 – Noon to 7 pm
Grounds are open for early morning flight viewing.
Flights: Weather permitting, early morning and early evening flights. Friday and Saturday night balloon glows.
Why it is special: Middletown hosted the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships in 1992-1994 when the top 100 hot air balloon pilots flew in competition to win the national title and qualify for world events.
That very popular event has led to Ohio Challenge, an annual top quality hot air balloon sanctioned competition. The best 30 regional hot air balloon pilots compete for points toward their national standings. Specialty balloons also add to the fun.
Extras: Juried arts and crafts show; live entertainment; the most popular local festival foods; carnival rides; sky divers and much more.
Site: Smith Park (site of the Nationals), downtown Middletown, Ohio. Exit I-75 at SR 122 (Exit 32) and follow signs to the downtown area. Middletown is mid-way between Dayton and Cincinnati, just off I-75 with easy access to many area attractions.
Cost: Free entry to launch and festival site.
There is a fee for on-site parking.
Platinum Sponsors:
City of Middletown/Middletown CVB
Middletown Community Foundation
Middletown Journal–Official Information Source
www. SELECTION.com
Gold Sponsors:
Bank One/Barnitz
The Rebel – 105.9 fm – Official Radio Station
Bronze Sponsors:
Time Warner Cable
US Bank
Specialty Balloon Sponsor:
Butler Tech
MidFirst Credit Union
Sponsors: A combined, public/private project, the Ohio Challenge brings together government, business, non-profit groups and individuals working together for the good of the total community.
Organized by: The Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe & Trenton, 1500 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044
Committee:
Chair – Ginger Bruggeman, Senior Associate of Development, United Way of Middletown
Chair-Elect – Rodney Hale, Chief, Trenton Police
Sponsorships/2004 Past Chair - Dan Sack, President and Owner, The Fourth R of Southwestern Ohio
Finance/2003 Past Chair - David Pearce, Senior Vice President, Bank One, NA
Balloon Pilot - Dr. Mark Frazer, Summit Family Physicians
Balloon Pilot - James Wannemacher, Triple J Investments
Chamber Event Planner- Kathy Venturella
Publicist - Ann Mort, inTown Magazine
Contact:
Ann Mort-513-424-2038, Rmort@cinci.rr.com
