Festivals are a wonderful part of life here in Portage County. They bring people together, strengthen community ties, boost the local economy, and are downright fun. There is Art On Main, the Ox Roast in Mantua, Garrettsville Summerfest, numerous festivals in Kent, not to mention the Portage County Fair. Then there is the festival in a class by itself. Multiple days, multiple locations, and is on land and in the air. Yep, the Balloon A-Fair, the mac daddy of Portage County Festivals. Most of us have gone, likely multiple times. Some of us have attending it as a family tradition. The festival started in 1978 by Jean Wise, the former CEO of Bohecker’s Business School. Originally sponsored by Oak Rubber, which made our fair town the Latex Balloon Capital. It is always held the third weekend in September. Have you ever wondered about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ planning that it takes to pull off such a wonderful event? This reporter did, and the trail led to Patti Ann Hicks.
Patti Ann Hicks is one busy lady! She works full time at RC Cook Insurance Agency on Main Street in Ravenna. She is an active member of the Ravenna Chamber of Commerce. She is also the President of the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair Committee. If you would ask her what it takes to organize such a monumental event, she would likely say volunteerism, community support, energy and networking. While all of this is quite true, this reporter would like to add one more thing…work, and lots of it!
She began her tenure with the Balloon A-Fair committee as a Chamber Representative in 2018. She has a natural ability to organize, which serves her well in this and many other positions. When she became president, she didn’t have to start from scratch, the previous leader gave her a contact list. From that list she has to procure people to donate/sponsor/loan lights, trailer, balloons, trash pick-up…so many things that the average attendee takes for granted. From this list she attempts to get as many complimentary donations and ‘in kind’ sponsorships as possible.
The Balloon A-Fair Trustees meet twice a month at Megan’s Diner. Patti Ann is the president, Barbara Ludban is vice-president, Emily Pierson serves as the Secretary and Records, Patricia DuVall is the Secretary of Correspondence, Lloyd Alger is the Treasurer. Linda Pierson is the Committee Chair, replacing Jack Ferguson. Also serving are Duane Hicks, Mark Short, Clyde Woodruff, Michelle Funk, and Diane Carder. They usually enjoy dinner at five, then have the meeting at six. Sometimes it lasts an hour, sometimes much longer. This organization was once as large as 150 members. Now it is down to 11. They are all volunteers. More volunteers are greatly needed; you will see why. If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring or more information, contact them at info@ravennaballoonafair.com or call (330) 296-FAIR.
What is the timeline for this event? Weeks, months of planning? Try all year! Let’s follow the Balloon A-Fair Trustees as they plan and (very) successfully pull off an amazing festival.
December: send sponsorship letters to 200+ area businesses. These sponsorships range from $500 to $3,500, though any amount will get your name on the boards by the flag pole. The committee meets twice monthly, at Megan’s Diner in downtown Ravenna. The chair will solicit the vendors, Barb Ludban is in charge of procuring musical talent. Also, contact is needed to secure parking, booths for the downtown portion as well as Sun Beau Valley, fireworks sponsor (same person, faithfully year after year,) the Sheriff’s Department for security…
January: press release in January, soliciting nominations and applications for Grand Marshal. In 2021, the GM was Mike Tontimonia. Families, businesses, community members are able to submit nominations through the Chamber of Commerce. That nominee must be within the Ravenna School District. Some of the past Grand Marshals include Anne Marie Noble of Haven of Portage County, Neil Mann from Allen Aircraft and Rick Coe of Portage Community Bank. Continue business sponsorship arrangements. Continue the bi-monthly meetings with the committee.
February-ish: plan and carry out the Balloon A-Fair Dance.
April: Grand Marshal Dinner to honor the newly appointed GM.
May: solicit theme for the Children’s Parade. The winner of this becomes the Mini Marshall and is presides over the Children’s Parade, also the Grand Parade and the Christmas Parade. This is achieved by contacting teachers for recommendations. Announce the winner, present the award-a bouquet of balloons and a $25.00 gift certificate.
Summer: secure the items necessary for administering this large an event. Items include Golf Carts -Carts.) Port-o-lets, dumpsters, rides, etc.
Friday Prior: signage goes up for parking and directions. The crunch is on!
Balloon A-Fair Thursday: Children’s Parade in Downtown. Police escort, the Mini Marshal heads the parade. This year the Mini Marshal was Makayla Castle May, and the theme was We Don’t Fail, We Rise. Poignant in the wake of the pandemic.
Balloon A-Fair Friday: 7:00 am Kick Off Breakfast, catered this year by VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Distribute Sponsorship Awards, then go directly to set up rides, vendors, port-o-lets, etc. New to this year- decorating Balloon Alley with sponsored balloons. Grand Parade at 9:00 am, this year’s sponsor was 717 Credit Union. The downtown festival ran from 9:00 to 5:30. There were three stages for live entertainment, from classic rock to Reggae to dance to balloon artistry. Move to Sun Beau.
Balloon A-Fair Saturday: be uptown at 4:00am to help set up. Festival opens at 9:00am. Entertainment starts at 1:00. Big parade, then moves to Sun Beau Valley by 4:00pm. Two band performed there, the Diamond Project and the 303 Band. Hot Air Balloon Lift-off, Jeep Show. Fireworks. Sleep? Not likely!
Balloon A-Fair Sunday: back to Sun Beau, because gates open to the public at noon. More live entertainment. Final Hot Air Balloon Lift Off, weather permitting. Now can you sleep?
Sunday After the Closing: Blissfully, clean-up is handled in multiple ways. Vendors are responsible for their own. Trustee Emily Pierson arranges for Community Service hours for those on probation. Sun Beau is rented from Kay and Don Viall, their 4-H group cleans there. The trustees are given a well-deserved break…or are they?
Nope! Now, they are partnered with the Ravenna Chamber of Commerce for the Santa Parade.
