More than 60 NWEC members submitted entries for our annual free flight contest and Larry Bray of Montpelier and Ray Strup of Bryan were chosen as the lucky winners. Both men were given the opportunity for themselves and one guest each to take flight on August 1, launching from Hickory Acres Campground near Edgerton. After being airborne for several miles over the local countryside, both balloons landed, less than a mile apart, on land owned by NWEC member Duane Appel. 

Following the flight, Larry and Ray were treated to a special balloon story and toast from the pilots, Zach Burgess and Scott Wooge.

NWEC would like to thank everyone who entered our contest; Chris and Cheri Kimpel for allowing us to launch from their campground; the hardworking volunteers who helped with the balloons; and the Appel family for letting us briefly use their land.

On August 2, the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives balloons made another appearance at the annual United Way of Defiance County Hot Air Balloon Festival held at the Defiance County Airport. The event, which is one of the largest fundraisers for the organization, was attended by more than 3,000 people.

The two Touchstone Energy balloons provided tethered rides for more than 300 people while the other eighteen balloons in attendance flew in and out of the airport. At the end of the day, all the balloons participated in a glow, lighting up their balloons with their propane burners in a synchronized fashion.

Those who attended the event enjoyed various fun activities such as inflatables, Justin the Clown, a petting zoo, a touch-a-truck and touch-a-tractor interactive display, a local vendor marketplace and a wide variety of food trucks. 

NW Ohio Propane provided all the propane for the event. A special thanks goes out to Defiance Lawn Care for again this year providing their vehicles as anchors for our balloons during the tethered rides and to all the wonderful community volunteers who helped with the balloons.