CANOWINDRA is on a real high after another recording-breaking Balloon Challenge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The flagship events are a highlight of the year and there were concerns when a foggy start threatened to prevent the launch of balloons. However the fog burned off and the weekend was able to get underway.
The signature event, the Canowindra Challenge hot air ballooning championships, was an outstanding success drawing what is believed to be the largest crowd in its history.
Thousands of people then flocked to the Canowindra sports grounds to witness a spectacular display of fire and light at the annual Cabonne Country Balloon Glow on Saturday night.
Cabonne mayor Ian Gosper praised organisers for presenting a breathtaking spectacle.
"This is one of the flagship tourism events not only in Cabonne but in NSW, and Cabonne Council is proud to have been one of its major sponsors for a number of years," Cr Gosper said.
"Any festival that has regularly generated almost $2 million a year in a small country town is no ordinary event and certainly this Canowindra International Balloon Challenge has developed into something very special."
"Once again this year council allocated $20,000 from its Events Assistance Program, and you only have to look at what this festival returns to the community to see it is a very sound investment," he said.
The event's success has been recognised with regional and state tourism awards, and the state's peak tourism body Destination NSW is another major financial backer.
Cr Gosper said the event had gone from strength-to-strength and had become one of the most significant on the state's tourism calendar.
Cr Gosper also said it was especially pleasing that a senior representative of Destination NSW had travelled to Canowindra on Saturday night to experience the colour and excitement.
"Obviously the success of events such as the Canowindra Challenge doesn't happen by accident," he said.
"The organising committee and volunteers have worked incredibly hard and devoted countless hours of their own time to make this a flagship event that puts Canowindra and Cabonne country well and truly on the tourism map, On behalf of Cabonne Council, I would like to thank all those people for their hard work."
