From the Times News:
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008804150372Organizers let air out of balloon event
By Tim Hahn
tim.hahn@timesnews.comMEADVILLE -- For 19 years, colorful hot-air balloons have kicked off Father's Day weekend in Crawford County at little or no cost to the thousands of people who come to enjoy the spectacle.
But tough economic times could make the Thurston Classic a memory after its 20th birthday.
The volunteer committee in charge of the annual event announced Monday that some longtime sponsors were forced to cut back or discontinue their contributions.
"This unfortunate reality has resulted in a 25 percent reduction in income essential to our operation," the committee said in a letter released to local media.
The committee decided to move forward with this year's Thurston Classic, which will be June 12-15 at Allegheny College's Robertson Field. But organizers will limit the number of balloonists who will participate, and will scale back some of the perks offered to the balloonists who will attend, committee members said.
Organizers are also confronting the very real possibility that the Thurston Classic won't return in 2009, as they are using up their reserve capital to put on this year's event.
"It very well could be the last one," said Joyce Stevens, who has been involved in the event since it was born out of Meadville's Bicentennial celebration in 1988. "We're going to do our very best this year, but it's not going to be easy."
It costs the committee a little more than $40,000 to put on the Thurston Classic, Stevens said. Most of that money comes from sponsors, many of whom have been supporters of the event from its start, she said.
But the sagging economy has forced some sponsors to reduce their donations this year, Stevens said. Some sponsors who previously donated propane were also forced to cut those donations this year, she said.
Committee members noted that rising propane costs are also cutting into the event's budget, as they expect to pay $3,500 to $6,000 more for it this year.
Although 35 balloonists have asked to take part in this year's Thurston Classic, the committee is limiting the number to 30 to keep costs down. Stevens estimates that it costs the committee $1,500 to $1,800 for each balloonist.
The committee is also looking to reduce costs by possibly cutting out one of the meals that they provide the balloonists, said committee member Morris Waid, a Crawford County commissioner.
The balloonists who do participate in the event take part in a series of competitions for a small pool of prize money. The tight finances won't affect the amount of prize money offered, Stevens said.
"They're not coming here to get rich. They want to come because they love it here. They love the flying, they love the community," she said.
"They spend a lot of money while they're here. That's why I'm very surprised we haven't had a drop in attendance because it's going to be more expensive for them this year, and it could even be more expensive because we have to eliminate some things."
Balloonists aren't the only ones spending money in Crawford County during the Thurston Classic.
The event brings in large crowds from faraway places each year. Those people spend money in local hotels, restaurants and stores, said Juanita Hampton, executive director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
It's hard to estimate how big the crowds are because there is no admission to the Thurston Classic events, Hampton said. Organizers at one time estimated their annual attendance at 30,000, but said that figure doesn't account for the many people who gather to watch the balloons at points outside of Robertson Field, they said.
One thing that won't result from the Thurston Classic's current financial situation is a spectator's fee.
Stevens said the committee will not consider charging visitors to enter Robertson Field or to park their vehicles there, although it will continue to sell souvenirs and to take donations to offset costs.
"It's free, a nice, family thing. If they wanted to, they could bring a lunch and not spend a penny," Stevens said. "That was our objective. That's what we wanted to accomplish."
The committee will, however, welcome new sponsors, its members said.
@ For more information on the Thurston Classic or to contact its committee, go to
www.thurstonclassic.com.
TIM HAHN can be reached at (814) 724-6979 or by e-mail.
The Thurston Classic Hot Air Balloon Event
June 12-15 at Robertson Field, Allegheny College
Schedule of Events:
June 12: Night Glow, 9 p.m., with entertainment starting at 7 p.m.
June 13: Sponsors Flight, 6 p.m.
June 14: Balloon flight from outlying areas to target at Robertson Field, 7 a.m. Flight from Robertson Field to target in outlying area, 6 p.m.
June 15: Balloon flight from outlying areas to target at Robertson Field, 7 a.m.
Organizers let air out of event
Balloon fans can expect scaled-back Thurston Classic
