Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/18261
Welcome to Ribs, Rods and Rides, 2010! Greg Stevens Chairman, Balloon Sponsor Relations Ribs, Rods and Rides Committee Chairman-Elect Red Bluff - Tehama County Chamber Of Commerce Well, here we are at year two for this great event. 20 of the west's finest hot air balloon pilots are on their way to fly the Tehama skies again, weather permitting. Last year, hundreds of local folks, plus as many visitors from near and far, enjoyed the spectacle of balloons with pas- sengers taking to the air; BBQ ribs, hot cars, great music and more. This year promises to be even better. There will be hot motorcycles as well as hot cars, tethered balloon rides in addition to the 20 unfettered bal- loons, more music, and even a country marketplace. Saturday will be a great day to spend the whole day at Rolling Hills, wrapping up with a "bal- loon glow" on the launch field, just after dark, weather permitting. If the weather is OK on Sunday morning, the 20 balloons will fly again, with a focus of providing balloon rides to the public. In the wake of the success of last year's event, Rolling Hills Casino pro- posed a variation on the infrastructure for this year's event. The Casino proposed to assume administration and relations with the balloon pilots .... and their coordinator, the "Balloonmeister" (as chief pilots are called at most balloon rallies and festivals) in exchange for Festival Sponsor stand- ing and benefits. This greatly reduced the project management load on Chamber volunteers and small staff, allowing the Chamber to focus on fundraising to at least cover the cost of a couple of backstage social events for sponsors, pilots and crews; welcome baskets for the pilots, and so on. I can't say enough about our list of generous sponsors. The balloon rally portion of the event would not be possible without them. The Cham- ber's costs for the event are now covered. Any proceeds from paid balloon rides for the public will go to support the Chamber of Commerce in its mis- sions to promote Red Bluff and Tehama County to visitors, prospective res- idents and businesses; promote our communities to themselves, to build and support "pride in place" and support the growth and prosperity of local businesses. Please note the names of the sponsors and if and when you have the opportunity, tell them you appreciate their key role in bringing an event like this to Tehama County, and supporting the Chamber of Com- merce. I want to thank Scott Chandler, Marketing Manager and chairman of the entire event from the Rolling Hills Casino side. Scott was on our commit- tee last year and this year was a total partner every step of the way. This was the first Ribs, Rods and Rides event for Chamber CEO Dave Gowan. Dave worked hands-on to get sponsors on the list, and partnered with Chamber Chairperson Kris Behrens (Marketing Director, St. Elizabeth Community Hospital) to put together a working plan for "ground opera- tions" on the days of the festival. Chamber staff and volunteers answered thousands of questions about the event, in person, via email and tele- phone. Big thanks also to volunteer Elizabeth Soder, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, who helped with sponsor relations. And to my wife Marcy Stevens who did the same, and also assembled the Tehama County Welcome Bas- kets for the visiting pilots and at this writing is preparing all the food for the traditional pilots-and-crew picnic on Saturday afternoon. Enjoy Ribs, Rods and Rides – 2010! I’ll hope to see you on the launch field, Saturday at dawn! Greg Stevens Page 2 Friday, October 22, 2010 D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY 545 Diamond Avenue • P.O. Box 220 • Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-2151 www.redbluffdailynews.com 16,000 readers daily, Monday through Saturday Publisher: Greg Stevens Editor: Chip Thompson Production: Sandy Valdivia Red Bluff Daily News Chamber Events: Ribs, Rods and Rides – 2010 EVENT COMMITTEE Event Chair: Scott Chandler Marketing Manager Rolling Hills Casino Kristin Behrens Marketing Director St. Elizabeth Hospital Chairperson, RB-TC Chamber of Commerce Balloon Sponsor Relations Chair: Greg Stevens Publisher The Daily News Chairman-elect, Chamber Staff: RB-TC Chamber of Commerce Dave Gowan Chief Executive Officer RB-TC Chamber of Commerce Sponsor Relations: Elizabeth Soder Coldwell Banker Real Estate Marcy Stevens Dairyville Acres Pilot Hospitality: Marcy Stevens Dairyville Acres