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Macomb City Council Gives Boost to Balloon Rally

Jonathan Ahl
The Saturday night Balloon Glow during last year's Macomb Balloon Rally.

Organizers of the Macomb Balloon Rally said they bring thousands of visitors to the city each year, generating economic activity.  But the organization does not gain much income from all those visitors because all its events are free.

“We struggle to break even every year and we’ve over the years cut things to save money,” said Jodi Pospeschil, who serves on the rally’s steering committee.

She asked for – and received – a one-time donation of $3,000 from the city.  The committee’s budget projected a net loss of $2,790 without the donation.

The committee generates revenue from ads in the booklet it publishes, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.  Its expenses include insurance, hotel rooms for pilots, and fees for the balloon glow.

The city’s contribution comes from its Hotel/Motel Tax Special Project Fund.  City Administrator Dean Torreson said the rarely tapped fund has accrued roughly $50,000 since 2010.

The 29th Annual Macomb Balloon Rally will be held this weekend, September 11 & 12.  Much of the activity takes place at Vince Grady Field at Western Illinois University.  Free parking is available across the street from the field in WIU’s “Q” lot.

All of the Macomb Balloon Rally’s events are dependent on weather conditions.  Those events include flights Friday evening, Saturday morning, and Saturday evening, plus the balloon glow on Saturday night.

Mayor Mike Inman said the community looks forward to the event every year.  And Fifth Ward Alderman Clay Hinderliter hoped the city could work with rally organizers to ensure it continues.

“This is a unique event,” Hinderliter said.  “Maybe we can have a discussion after this one for the long term.”

Rich is TSPR's News Director.