The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce started and pushed through these lists of festivities way back when it started during 1983. The main man behind the idea of the balloon festival was a certain Mr. Walt Darren, a commercial airline pilot who had a side hobby of being a professional hot air balloonist. He was the first to have started the idea of having hot air balloons race through the countryside as part of an effort to jump start the ecological tourism in the area.
Vicky Taylor, president of the Chamber of Commerce had asked veteran Evelyn Harker, the event organizer to raise funds for this idea (of which she might have thought of it to be a pretty good idea in itself.) Evelyn had the idea that the whole thing might pull off much more successfully if the other attractions that could be found in the local area were pulled in as a culmination of all the good things that can be found inside Temecula Valley. Products like wines, cheeses, the entertainment and basically, the whole cuisine of Temecula itself.
The idea was passed on, and more of the people around, as well as several establishments and organizations pitched their support in to try and bolster the event upwards. Help came in from different parts of the valley, not to mention contributions limited to not only finance, but also through volunteer work and free advertising of the event.
The first event launch was proven to be successful come spring of 1984. With the small town of only 9000, this event was a big step for the commercialization and the growth of the local community. At least half of the town's population had arrived (increasing the head count of the area by up to 150% during that time).
The thirty five balloons that were launched are kept in the memories of those who saw it. Some may have made their final flight a few years back, other still going strong and flying like the young ones. But the festival attracts new blood year per year, making sure the tradition never dies.
Vicky Taylor, president of the Chamber of Commerce had asked veteran Evelyn Harker, the event organizer to raise funds for this idea (of which she might have thought of it to be a pretty good idea in itself.) Evelyn had the idea that the whole thing might pull off much more successfully if the other attractions that could be found in the local area were pulled in as a culmination of all the good things that can be found inside Temecula Valley. Products like wines, cheeses, the entertainment and basically, the whole cuisine of Temecula itself.
The idea was passed on, and more of the people around, as well as several establishments and organizations pitched their support in to try and bolster the event upwards. Help came in from different parts of the valley, not to mention contributions limited to not only finance, but also through volunteer work and free advertising of the event.
The first event launch was proven to be successful come spring of 1984. With the small town of only 9000, this event was a big step for the commercialization and the growth of the local community. At least half of the town's population had arrived (increasing the head count of the area by up to 150% during that time).
The thirty five balloons that were launched are kept in the memories of those who saw it. Some may have made their final flight a few years back, other still going strong and flying like the young ones. But the festival attracts new blood year per year, making sure the tradition never dies.
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