The Heart of the Festival

Yes,  you can see them on the horizon, Statesville.... the balloons are coming and Carolina BalloonFest is about a month away. We're getting excited.....how about you? Our community has such a great history in hot air ballooning and we are continuing to make history every single year. We'll talk about that as we lead up to BalloonFest, but I think we need to begin by talking about what most of us feel is even more special....the reason why we do what we do.

Almost every person you see working at Carolina BalloonFest is a volunteer. A lot of volunteers are required for an event of this size, and Statesville shows up! Most represent the charities that will share in the profits from  Carolina BalloonFest, but some come out simply because they love the event and want to help make sure it is a success. Last year over $82,000 was given out to local charities.  An outstanding result of a spectacular weekend.

You may know the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is one of the major charities that benefits from the event....and it is difficult to miss all of the many volunteers that they bring. It's been a great partnership and we welcome them back this year. Many of the Relay volunteers are team members who have been impacted by cancer....both cancer survivors and those who love them. Others work in memory of those who lost their battle with cancer. Will those folks be watching the balloons and the bands from the cloud seats? Perhaps....give them a wave just in case!

SCAN is another local charity that will be represented by volunteers at the event. SCAN stands for "Support, Coaching, Accountability and Nurturing" and their purpose is to prevent abuse to children in our community and to create better childhoods, coaching and supporting their parents to build stronger families. We are proud to support this great organization.

You'll also see Scouts and school groups and businesses and individuals who support the event.... all working together to make sure that things run as smoothly as possible. Most volunteers work at least a four hour shift, and get a t-shirt, a parking pass, and gate pass to enjoy the rest of the events of the day.

If you want to help support our local charities, want to work for your admission to the festival, or simply love the event and want to lend a hand, please sign up to volunteer with us. It's quite an original way to raise money for charity.....and we think a good one. Carolina BalloonFest is about much more than balloons gracing our skies..... we're raising money for some great charities. But it does take quite the volunteer labor force.....are you willing to join us?  Check out this link here to get started.  Volunteer!

But if you aren't volunteering this year, please be an encourager to those who are. Most are doing tasks outside of their regular jobs and outside of their comfort zone. Some have never volunteered before, while others have volunteered for many years. Most will not know all of the answers....but will do their best to find them. Give them your smile, a high five, and let them know what a great job they are doing! They're investing their time for a good cause....working long hours for no pay...but yet doing their best to make the event special for all of our guests. Hooray for the volunteers....and for all of the great charities that we all get to support through Carolina BalloonFest!

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