Wednesday, March 10, 2010

No Canton Balloon Festival or just a bunch of hot air?

The Clarion Ledger is reporting that the Canton Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival may not happen this summer due to budget constraints on the Madison County municipality.

Some Board of Aldermen members on Tuesday appeared doubtful that the city could come up with the $30,000 or more parks and recreation officials say is needed to put on the four-day balloon race and fireworks event that draws tens of thousands of people to Canton each year for July 4 weekend.

The festival costs about $70,000 altogether, but sponsors and donors cover much of the price tag, said parks and recreation director Alvin Davis during the aldermen’s work session. Ridgeland has also helped with the expenses in years past in exchange for hot air balloons to use for its own annual Celebrate America Balloon Glow that takes place the same weekend as Canton’s festival.

Is it likely that Madison County might step in to help fund the event? I would say with the current makeup on the Board of Supervisors that is a possibility.

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