Balloon Fest pilots, volunteers, and sponsors had a lot to celebrate Sunday morning after a successful first two days of the festival saw all balloon events take place.
The annual awards breakfast was held at the Centralia American Legion following the Sunday morning flight over Centralia.
Several sponsors and individuals were recognized for their many years of dedication to the event. Kaskaskia College, Withers Broadcasting, and Dimon Brothers Insurance were all thanked for 20 years as Major Sponsors, while Macz Funeral Home was honored for 30 years.
Pilot Jim Phelan celebrated 25 years at Balloon Fest, and Becky Castellari was honored for her 30 years on the steering committee. David Sachtleban, Susie Robbins, and pilot Mike England were all recognized for their retirements after being a part of the event since the beginning.
For pilots, the highest honor at the Centralia Balloon Fest is the annual High Fly Cup, which honors the pilot who is seen as an ambassador for ballooning in the eyes of fellow balloonists. The award is given each year in memory of Wes Rinker, who flew the baseball-shaped balloon in Centralia for many years. Tribute was also paid to the award’s creator, John Stuehmeier, who passed away earlier this year.
This year’s winner was Brad Haege.
“Very shocked, very surprised, very honored that a group like that recognized me for the things that I just do because I love it and because I want to see this event succeed,” Haege said.
Although Haege has only been piloting for a few years, his involvement with the Centralia Balloon Fest goes back 15 years.
“I started as a sponsor because of my work, and then I got involved as a crew chief with the balloonists, and then finally joined the committee. I did what they call the chief-in-chief role, which was the everything and anything role. I was chairperson, and then the last few years as pilot liaison,” Haege said.
Haege flies the “Rising Tides” balloon, sponsored by Bradford National Bank.
The photo with the hug is Pilot Jim Phelan preparing to hand the High Fly Cup to this year’s winner, Brad Haege. Photo by Garrett Ford.
