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That is when the ball got rolling and people jumped into action said Levine. “We just kept reaching out to people and we ended up with I believe, 27 business sponsors for this event so huge sponsorship. The chamber businesses just rallied it and the community, you know, have just come through and put this together.”

When Wayne and Angie Butts, owners of the Historic John P Furber Farm caught wind of the idea, they instantly offered up the farm space to host the event, in fact, they were one of the first sponsors of the event before they knew what the event was going to be.

“It’s a big win,” explained Wayne, “Angie and I both love giving back to the community, and with the chamber, I mean, you’re talking all your local businesses pitching in and giving back to the community and its hands down, you can’t beat it. It’s what we love doing and that’s what that’s why we’re in it.”

The event came together in about six weeks and they advertised heavily on social media. Tickets were sold ahead of time and at the door, families or individuals that could not afford the admission were taken care of and told to go have fun. There was a petting zoo, hot air balloon basket, photo booth, flower planting demos, beverages, ice cream, snacks, a DJ, a dunk tank, all sorts of stuff. Volunteers assembled bags of toiletries and gift cards for teens. All the proceeds will be split among the three charities, Friends in Need, Basic Needs and Youth Service Bureau.

A huge thank you needs to go out to the business that participated and sponsored the night. 3M, Adagio Djay Entertainment, Advanced Sportswear, BizRecycling, Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, Cottage Grove Lions, Culver’s, Dance by Kris, Edward Jones – Jeff Shoemaker, Heathy Kids Running Series, Historic Furber Farm, Home Federal Savings Bank, Hy-Vee, Mary Kay – Becky Fox, Merchants Bank, Mik Mart Ice Cream, RE/MAX Professionals, RE/MAX Professionals – Jessica Fisher, RE/MAX Professionals – Aundrea Paskett, Rustic Floral Boutique, Set it Up Party Rental, Sovran, Spangler and de Stefano, Spartan Promotional Group – Mary Slusser, Sweetly Simplified, The Healing Place of Cottage Grove, The Mobile Lens, the Myers – Thrivent.

The Remax Hot Air balloon team was on hand to give demonstrations on the power of the balloon burner and talk about hot air balloon flight. Photo by Bruce Karnick