Lakeshore Balloon Glow: A Safe, Family-Friendly Event Powered by HMC-SUP’s Festival Toolkits
In preparation for the upcoming Lakeshore Balloon Glow, our intern Brinn Holschbach and youth apprentice Dakota Richardson sat down with Erika Christel from Visit Manitowoc to get the inside scoop on this exciting event and the crucial role of Healthiest Manitowoc County Substance Use Prevention Coalition’s (HMC-SUP) Festival Toolkits.
This Friday, August 16, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Manitowoc’s downtown waterfront will come alive with the vibrant colors and magical atmosphere of the Lakeshore Balloon Glow. This free, family-friendly event promises an evening of entertainment, featuring glowing hot air balloons, delicious food trucks, cold drinks, a water ski show, family activities, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Behind the scenes, the event organizers are utilizing an invaluable resource to ensure the safety and success of this community celebration: HMC-SUP Festival Toolkits. We spoke with Erika Christel from Visit Manitowoc to learn more about how these toolkits contribute to creating a happy and safe environment for all attendees.
Safety First: The Magic of Festival Toolkits
The Festival Toolkits, provided free of charge by HMC-SUP, play a crucial role in maintaining the event’s family-friendly atmosphere. Erika explains, “We’ve used the toolkits since the event’s inception, and they’ve been instrumental in keeping our celebration safe and enjoyable for everyone.”
The toolkits include various items such as wristbands, ID scanners, and informational posters. “My favorite item is the wristbands,” Erika shares. “We can see them from afar, which saves time. The scanners help us count attendees and monitor alcohol sales effectively.”
These tools have proven highly effective in preventing underage drinking. “We’ve had no underage alcohol sales, which is a testament to the toolkit’s effectiveness,” Erika proudly states. She rates the toolkits as “soaring high” on the effectiveness scale, adding a touch of balloon-themed humor to our conversation.
Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
The Festival Toolkits do more than just ensure safety; they contribute to the overall positive atmosphere of the event. Erika humorously suggests that if the toolkit had a theme song, it would be “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. “The toolkits are used at happy, fun events!” she explains.
This focus on creating a joyful, secure environment aligns perfectly with the event’s goal of providing a memorable experience for families and visitors of all ages. From the Webfooters Water Ski Show at 5:00 pm to the breathtaking balloon illumination at dusk and the fireworks finale at 8:30 pm, every aspect of the Lakeshore Balloon Glow is designed with family enjoyment in mind.
Here’s the Scoop on What to Expect at Lakeshore Balloon Glow
Erika emphasizes a few key points for first-time attendees:
- Come hungry: “We’ve got about a dozen incredible food trucks ready to feed your family!”
- Use the shuttle service: With over 5,000 anticipated participants, the continuous shuttle service makes it easy to reach the event grounds.
- Capture the moment: “The balloons are stationary and offer an incredible opportunity for family photos once the sun goes down. They glow, but don’t float!”
Event Partners and Sponsors
This event is made possible thanks to the support of numerous local organizations and businesses. Key partners include the Chamber of Manitowoc County, Visit Manitowoc, and the City of Manitowoc. Sponsors include Americollect, Baycare Clinic, International Paper, Manitowoc Public Utilities, Fox Communities Credit Union, RE/MAX Port Cities, River North Apartments, Seehafer News, Kohler Credit Union, TDS Communications, Keden Services/Etched in Stone, Briess Malt & Ingredients Co., Gutman Insurance Agency, Shoreline Credit Union, and Steimle Birschbach.
As the sun sets this Friday and the balloons begin to glow along the riverfront, remember that behind the scenes, tools like the HMC-SUP’s Festival Toolkits are working to ensure your safety and enjoyment. It’s this commitment to community well-being that truly makes the Lakeshore Balloon Glow shine.
Don’t miss this magical event that brings together safety, family fun, and community spirit. See you at the Lakeshore Balloon Glow!
For more information about the Lakeshore Balloon Glow, visit visitmanitowoc.com
For more information about using HMC-SUP’s Festival Toolkits for your event, visit healthiestmc.org/festival-toolkits/
To see Festival Toolkits in action, visit Festival Toolkits.
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