Coordinator makes a plea for local event's continued success

By Jennifer Sanzi
May 31, 2007

Has an event ever inspired you? Have colors ever penetrated deeper than the eyes? Have you ever been a part of something with no age, gender or economic divisions; something that everyone enjoyed, together, for a moment in time? The Great Reno Balloon Race is that event, those colors, that something.

As an event coordinator for the Great Reno Balloon Race, I believe that the lively colors, global attraction and early morning beauty of this event make it truly unique. I admit that I am a bit biased. I love the Balloon Race, everything about it; the colors, the sounds, the volunteers, the community spirit…I even love the early mornings. When else do you get the chance to watch a beautiful sunrise against a canvas of vibrant colors with 100,000 people who are thinking and feeling the same thing you are?

I know that this event is important to the spectators, not just because of sheer attendance, media coverage or Web site traffic. Those are all great, but that’s not where the heart of the event lies. It lies in the e-mails, letters and phone calls that we receive each year. Visitors near and far, of every age and background, write in to share their memories with us. Our guest book is filled with signatures from all 50 United States, as well as international greetings from Brazil, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Greece, England and Israel, to name a few.

"Up, up he floated and for every foot he rose, a tear fell from my eye…In a crowd of thousands, I was in my own little world, and nothing else mattered except "looking up."
Gina Gibson, Chicago

That explains it. That is exactly why we do what we do, why volunteers donate hundreds of hours to set up the field and help crew balloons, why pilots choose Reno, why sponsors support us. You see, great special events are only as successful as the community that supports them. The Balloon Race is a non-profit event that takes more than $300,000 annually to execute. This money does not come out of thin air, nor is it guaranteed year after year. The only reason that we were all able to watch in awe as 106 majestic balloons took flight this September is because businesses and families saw a need to support an event that has brought smiles to families since 1982. Without that support, plain and simple, the Balloon Race would drift away.

I don’t write this letter to grovel at your feet, I write this letter because I want the Balloon Race to be healthy. I write this letter because I dread the day that the Board decides the event is costing too much money to continue. I write this letter because I believe in this event – in special events. I believe in the power of families and tradition and community. I write this letter so that for years to come we will receive more of these letters:

"I love Nevada and miss it and have always made it a point to be back in September when once again the gentle giants mount the skies and awe us all with their magnificent beauty."
Linda Kersey, Florida

"It remains the only experience I’ve ever known where the expression "breath-taking" wasn’t just a figure of speech. Let the child within you escape for awhile and create your own bedtime stories."
Gina Gibson, Chicago

There are many ways to get involved with the Great Reno Balloon Race, as a Family, Corporate or Major sponsor or as an event volunteer. For more information on how you can contribute to the event, please visit www.renoballoon.com or call 775-826-1181.

Jennifer is a Project Manager at Olsen & Associates, which has managed the Great Reno Balloon Race since 1989.