The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce has made a final decision to move Balloon Fest to Fairview Park for August 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. With the move, the event will be free to attend.
In making the announcement, the chamber tried to answer some concerns. They note that the size of Fairview Park is very similar to the area used at Foundation Park. No vehicles of any kind will be allowed into Fairview Park, with free parking available at Fairview Park Plaza. West Broadway from Buena Vista to Brooks Street will be closed to traffic during event hours.
The goal will be to have the same number of craft vendors, food vendors, and hot air balloons. The event would still include Friday and Saturday night glows. For the evening flights, some balloons would launch from Fairview Park, and others from surrounding areas, to fly over the park. Even if all 35 hot air balloons could fit in Fairview Park, they do not plan to have all of them take off from the park for traffic and safety reasons. All events are weather permitting.
There is still a possibility that Balloon Fest could return to Foundation Park in a future year. The chamber says there are electrical issues, some of which may be corrected in a timely manner. There are other concerns that need attention by the chamber, but those things take time to plan, budget, and implement. The chamber will continue to meet with the Centralia Foundation Board that owns Foundation Park.
The chamber is thanking the City of Centralia for being so welcoming of the event and doing everything in their power to ensure Balloon Fest stays in Centralia. With such short notice, the city has done everything in its power to make sure the transition to Fairview Park is as smooth as possible. The chamber has been in touch with Centralia Police, Fire, ESDA, and Public Works to plan a safe Balloon Fest.
More details will be announced as planning for the annual event continues.
