SEQUIM — Leaving attendees with sensory overload is Randall Tomaras’ goal for the first Sequim Balloon Festival in 2012.
Check out the Sept. 1-3 event’s 120-page website at www.sequimballoonfestival.com for the vision of what’s to come, including a football-field-size reflection pond in a 43-acre pasture just north of the east end of Washington Street, where the event is planned to be staged.
“Balloon Glow,” planned at the event Sept. 1-2, will start between sunset and 45 minutes after sunset when the winds die down, he said.
The field, on part of a grassy field owned by farmer Fred Grant, will be lined with black plastic and filled with about 2 inches of water from a nearby irrigation ditch, Tomaras said.
Dances, music, food
Leading up to the Balloon Glow between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. will be street dances, live music, a food court, wine and a beer garden leading up to the balloon glows.
He’s calling it “Twilight in the Olympics.”
“It’ll be very photogenic for photographers,” Tomaras said of the festivities, especially Balloon Glow.
“We’ll have five to seven balloons each night.”
The balloons will be lit up to reflect in the pond.
Tomaras, a professional photographer who promoted a balloon festival for Everett’s centennial event that drew about 30,000 with minimal promotional effort — just a few posters put up around town — said he expects 150 antique cars and hot rods from several Northwest car clubs to rumble into Sequim for the balloon festival weekend’s “Hot Gas & Gears” show at the festival site.
A “Run for the Barn” fun run is expected to draw up to 1,500 runners and walkers, he said.
A wine-grape stomp, a children’s play space and bicycle, foot and kayak races are also planned.
Already, Tomaras has mapped out the site for the Balloon Glow, which will be surrounded by the car show, vendors, a bandstand and a dance area.
It’s all intended to enrich the region’s flagging economy and draw visitors from all over the Northwest, he said.
“We want to get it to where the people on the Peninsula are benefitting from people coming over to Sequim and the Olympic Peninsula,” he said.
Not shy to early promotions, Tomaras and other balloon teased the public in late August by launching the 90,000-cubic-foot balloon Aura in Grant’s field.
Balloonists responding
Besides a board of local business leaders, balloonists Mandy and Vic Johnson of Covington are helping Tomaras attract balloonists.
About 20 have already committed to participating.
Dungeness Valley balloonist and events promoter Mark Hays will act as balloon director, helping to coordinate balloon flights and designating no-fly zones to keep balloonists and residents around the site adjacent to Purple Haze Lavender’s farm safe.
“I’m getting people who are experts in their area,” he said.
Balloon rides for a half-hour or more will go for $250, he said.
A promotional poster, which Tomaras is now working on, will be posted on the North Olympic Peninsula and throughout the Northwest in January or February.
Sponsorships between $100 and $10,000 are being sought. Potential sponsors can contact Tomaras at 360-461-2202 or randall@sequimballoonfestival.com.
Tickets are expected to cost $15 a day or $25 for all three days.
They won’t be available until some time in December.
The website will be set up for ticket purchases, he said, and at least 10 ticket outlets will be set up at downtown Sequim businesses.
“There’s just so much that can be done if we work together,” Tomaras said, adding that he was trying to found a Peninsula events association to meet that end.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
