Dewey Reinhard, founder of the Labor Day Lift Off, receives the Spirit of the Springs Celebration Award

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Monday, the mastermind behind the original Labor Day Lift Off was honored with the Spirit of the Springs Celebration Award.

Mayor John Suthers presented Dewey Reinhard with the award at the event that was Absolutely Colorado.

The Spirit of the Springs Award is meant for people who make special contributions to the community, and the Lift Off definitely fits that bill. When Reinhard started the event in 1976, it was called the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic. The name wasn't changed to the Labor Day Lift Off until 2015.

These days, thousands of people from around the country come to Colorado Springs for the Lift Off.

"My first goal was to have the highest quality ballooning event for pilots in the country, which we did. Number two, free entertainment for spectators and the community. Number three, promote aviation," Reinhard said at the ceremony Monday.

“If you’ve ever enjoyed hot air balloons in Colorado Springs, you have Dewey Reinhard to thank,” said Mayor John Suthers. “We are grateful that he started a lasting tradition here in Colorado Springs that brings great joy to participants and a great benefit to our city.”

Absolutely Colorado is a partnership in our community between KRDO, Centura Health, and Gold Hill Mesa.