Red Bluff Daily News

June 04, 2011

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Welcome to Ribs, Rods and Rides, 2011! Greg Stevens Chairman-Elect Red Bluff - Tehama County Chamber Of Commerce Here we are at year three for this great event! Over 20 of the west's finest hot air balloon pilots are on their way to fly the Tehama skies, weather permitting. We were rained out last year -- part of the reason for moving the event from October to June. In 2009, hundreds of local folks, plus as many visitors from near and far, enjoyed the spectacle of balloons with passengers taking to the air; BBQ ribs, hot cars, great music and more. This year promises to be even better, starting with the weather. There will be hot motorcycles in addition to as hot cars, tethered balloon rides in addi- tion to the unfettered balloons, more music, and other fun additions. Satur- day will be a great day to spend the whole day at Rolling Hills, wrapping up with a "balloon glow" on the launch field, just after dark, weather permitting. If the weather is fine on Sunday morning, all the balloons will fly again, with a focus of providing balloon rides to the public. We still have flights available to be purchased on both days. Just come early (5:00-5:30 a.m.) and come to the Chamber of Commerce booth by the field north of the Casino parking lot. Rides are $200 per person and last about an hour! Rolling Hills Casino proposed a further variation on the infrastructure for this year's event. The Casino assumed administration and relations with the balloon pilots in exchange for Festival Sponsor standing and benefits. This greatly reduced the project management load on Chamber volunteers and its small staff, allowing the Chamber to focus on the promotion of sold balloon rides. 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 Balloon Festival have thus been covered. Thanks to the generosity of Rolling Hills Casino, proceeds from paid bal- loon rides for the public will go to support the Chamber of Commerce in its missions to promote Red Bluff and Tehama County to visitors, prospective residents 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 supporting 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 has worked on our committee every year and this year was a total partner every step of the way. Seasoned festival organizers (and balloon pilots) Larry and Terri Ratkoviak supported our committee and Russ James, our third-year Balloonmeister in adding staging routines and procedures which have worked best to produce other successful balloon rallies. Russ' pilot wife Gay James helped us gath- er balloon pilot bios and balloon photos for this publication, and more. Cham- ber CEO Dave Gowan and assistant Terri Bauer worked hands-on to obtain in-kind sponsors on the list. Terri and other Chamber staff answered thou- sands of questions about the event, in person, via email and telephone. Lisa Hansen, Events Chair for the Chamber was a big assist to me and the festi- val, as was my wife Marcy Stevens who did the same, distributed posters and also assembled the Tehama County Welcome Baskets for the visiting balloon pilots. Enjoy Ribs, Rods and Rides – 2011! I’ll hope to see you on the launch field, Saturday and Sunday at dawn! Greg Stevens Ribs, Rods and Rides – 2011 Event Committee Event Chair: Scott Chandler Marketing Manager Rolling Hills Casino Event Consultants/Planners: Terri & Larry Ratkoviak Scotts Valley, CA Balloonmeister: Russ James Orland, CA Pilot Info Coordinator: Gay James Orland, CA Pilot Hospitality: Marcy Stevens Dairyville Acres Chamber Event Managers: Greg Stevens Sponsor Relations: Chairman-elect RB-TC Chamber of Commerce Publisher, The Daily News Lisa Hansen Events Chair/Director RB-TC Chamber of Commerce Manager, Express Personnel Solutions Chamber Staff: Dave Gowan Chief Executive Officer RB-TC Chamber of Commerce Terri Bauer Administrative Assistant RB-TC Chamber of Commerce 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 Page 2 Thursday, June 2, 2011 Red Bluff Daily News

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