CHAMBER ENDS ROLE AS CAPITAL AREA BALLOON RALLY HOST

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce, we extend sincere thanks to the many businesses and community members for their efforts and contributions to the success of the Capital Area Balloon Rally in the past five years.  After review and discussion, the Chamber board has voted unanimously not to host the Rally this year or in the future, due to a lack of sufficient number of major sponsorships.   

In the Chamber’s five years of hosting the Rally, major corporate sponsorships and a broad base of other sponsorships are what helped MACC bring this family fun festival to the Mason area.  Those valued contributions are what enabled us to provide low-cost entertainment to large weekend crowds out at the beautiful park-like setting of the Michigan Trapshooting Association grounds each August. 

Heartfelt thanks also go to all the workers and volunteers who put countless hours into the event to make it so enjoyable.  While the hot-air balloons were the stars of the show, visitors also enjoyed the varied lineup of activities that included sky divers, kites, car show, helicopter rides, sponsor booths,  lawnmower races, the Habitat for Humanity auction, Mason High School Band, Backwoods Band, balloon walk, powered parachutes, festival food, model airplanes, carnival, flea market, and many more.  None of those activities would have been possible without the support of so many individuals.

-- Dan Schlattmann, MACC 2006 President