The Board of Directors of the Cornwall Hot Air balloon Festival has voted to cancel Lift-Off 2015 citing an inability to garner major sponsors. The Board was relying on raising funds to secure this year’s entertainment roster and to cover the remaining deficit from the 2013 Lift-Off festival which suffered a large loss due primarily to adverse weather conditions.

PHOTO CREDIT - Lift-Off.ca

Cornwall - April 7, 2015 - The Board of Directors of the Cornwall Hot Air balloon Festival has voted to cancel Lift-Off 2015 citing an inability to garner major sponsors. The Board was relying on raising funds to secure this year’s entertainment roster and to cover the remaining deficit from the 2013 Lift-Off festival which suffered a large loss due primarily to adverse weather conditions.

Further, Lift-Off has to date been unable to attract a commitment for a title sponsor for the 2015 edition of the annual festival. Additionally a number of the large sponsors have not yet committed to return as of this point. With less than three months until the 2015 festival date it was determined by the Board that it would not have the time to raise the funds required and attract the talent that festival goers are anticipating.

It is the intention of the Board of Directors to stay the course and through a series of fund raising events, satisfy the current debt outstanding by the festival. We are thankful for the evident support from the City of Cornwall which was a step in the right direction. We are hopeful the the same or greater level of commitment will be in force when Lift-Off applies for funding for 2016.

Municipal funds allocated for Lift-Off 2015 will not be requested from the City of Cornwall.

Lift-Off is a 100% volunteer based, home grown festival that is unique to Cornwall. The Board of Directors is hopeful that the community will support it’s efforts to raise the funds required to satisfy commitments and to prepare for the Festival's return in 2016.

Terry Muir
Chair
Cornwall Lift Off Hot Air Balloon Festival

Committee Members
* Terry Muir * Mary Marleau * Stephanie MacDonald * *Terri Guay *
Stephanie Levac * Tim Sage *
* Marvin Plumadore * Maurice Dupelle *
* Diane Wallace * Kevin Wilson *
* Martha Woods *