Pellissippi State Hot Air Balloon Festival
September 25 & 26, 2009
Sponsorship Opportunities
Pellissippi State balloon festival: major fun and fundraising
You probably have heard about the Pellissippi State Hot Air Balloon Festival, and very possibly you have even attended. But it's more than likely that you didn't realize the annual event - the sixth one is Sept. 25-26 - serves any purpose beyond great family entertainment.
The ambitious event is, in fact, a major fundraiser for the Pellissippi State Foundation. The balloon festival, named a Top 20 Event for September 2009 by the Southeast Tourism Society, raises funds for an entire year's worth of support that can make a monumental difference to students who attend Pellissippi State Community College.
Thanks to the balloon festival, hundreds of students receive assistance in the form of new academic programs, technology, equipment and scholarships. A strong and responsive college infrastructure generates well-educated employees for area employers - and a skilled workforce benefits all of Knoxville and its surrounding communities.
Quite an impact for the price of festival admission.
Pat Myers, who as director of Alumni Relations and Foundation events directs the balloon festival, started working on the 2009 activities in October 2008. Long gone are the days, just a few years ago, when Myers was the committee, dependent on the assistance of Foundation staff members and several key college individuals. These days she oversees 26 committees headed by at least 43 coordinators.
"We have learned so much since the first festival in 2004," said Myers. "The event has been successful in part due to the support of hundreds of our faculty, staff and student volunteers. This has truly become a collegewide happening. We also acknowledge our local hot air balloon pilots and community partners. They have become vital team members, providing not only their support and guidance but also their commitment to education."
The 2009 Pellissippi State Hot Air Balloon Festival has many forms of entertainment for attendees: live music, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, special performances and children's activities.
And, of course, there are the balloons, the centerpiece of the festival. The crowd-favorite "balloon glow" takes place both nights (weather permitting), offering a spectacular display of balloons ringed around Pellissippi State's pond, all lighting to choreographed music.
Festival-goers can ride in a tethered balloon (again, weather permitting) for a additional charge. As in years past, a special guest balloonist will be on hand. This year it's Glo Kehoe, pilot of the Energizer Bunny Hot Hare Balloon, the tallest hot air balloon in the world.
The annual Pellissippi State Hot Air Balloon Festival: tons of fun for the community but more than that a first-class fundraiser. The Pellissippi State Foundation exists, after all, to generate funds to help students. Former Pellissippi State student Celeste De La Rosa is one of hundreds Foundation dollars have helped.
"I received a Music scholarship at Pellissippi State, which helped me a lot, even with books," said De La Rosa. "I was working retail and, as a single mom, knew I needed to get back into school."
De La Rosa graduated with a two-year associate's degree from Pellissippi State in May. She is now studying vocal music and math education at Maryville College, with plans to teach both in high school.
"I'm in love with Pellissippi State," she said. "I'd recommend it to anyone and would stay all four years if I could. The teachers there work hard to ensure that we achieve success."
The Pellissippi State Hot Air Balloon Festival hours are, on Friday the 25th, 4-9:30 p.m. and on Saturday the 26th, noon-9:30. All activities are at the Pellissippi Campus on Hardin Valley Road.
Admission is $10 per day per vehicle. Admission is $5 per day per spectator for those who choose to park off site and walk onto the campus. Some activities, including the tethered balloon rides, have on-site fees.
For more information about how you or your company can support Pellissippi State and the Hot Air Balloon Festival, please download our sponsorship brochure.
2009 Sponsorship Opportunities Brochure (pdf - 265k)
For more information about the festival, or for sponsorship opportunities, call the Pellissippi State Foundation at (865) 694-6400.