New hot air balloon festival announces name, new web site

A new Labor Day Weekend balloon festival that is being planned for Colorado Springs officially has a new name and web site.

A community contest was held to name the new event. “Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off” won out. Click here to visit the event’s web site.

The lift off will replace the Colorado Balloon Classic, which ended in its 38th year last year.

The city selected Scott Appleman from a pool of 200 applicants who submitted proposals for holiday events.

“I think (I) can bring a much different experience, a little more interactive, and a little more pleasing for the spectators and participants,” he said.

Appleman said he wants to return two aspects to the balloon event that have been lacking — a better variety of balloons and more activities during the day, after the balloons have launched. He also wants more corporate-sponsored balloons.

“I’ve got a list of a dozen people that haven’t been here for a while (who) are ready to come back,” Appleman said.

The city is giving Appleman and his staff $90,000 in cash, and services to organize and run the event, money that comes from a city tax on hotel rooms and car rentals. That’s twice the amount given to Patsy Buchwald, president of the former balloon classic.

However, the city said new events often receive more support in their first year.

“We just want a return on our investment,” Mayor Steve Bach said. “Sponsors need to understand that. (Buchwald) may not have been happy with that. But this is part of changing the culture.”

Dewey Reinhard founded the former balloon classic and is pleased with Appleman’s involvement.

“Attendance was down,” he said. “(The event) is going to be better now. I look forward to that.”

Janice Nash lives across the street from the event’s Memorial Park location park and said she’d like the new event to be as large as Albuquerque’s nine-day annual event.

“I’m glad to see some changes, fresh blood, some leadership,” she said.

But Appleman said the new event won’t try to compete with the 500 balloons registered in Albuquerque’s event.

“We’ll stay at 100 balloons,” he said. “Admission and parking will remain free. That’s what sets Colorado Springs apart from other locations.”

Meanwhile, the board of the former balloon classic announced it will no longer produce balloon events and will work only in a consulting capacity.

In a related matter, organizers with the Create Caon City balloon classic said it will stage that event for the second time, during Memorial Day weekend. Fifteen balloons are registered for the event.