Feb. 22, 2012: Van Wert -  Jerry Mazur is mixing hot air balloons and individual helium balloons in an effort to bring a world record to the resurrected Hot Air Festival this September. The event, which ran from 1985-1998 in Van Wert as the Hot Air Affair, is set to return Sept. 7-9. Mazur, the event organizer, is trying to put together a world record attempt for the most single independently-held helium balloons released at once.

"We made application with the Guinness Book of World Records to do an event. It has already passed through the first process in the States. It's in England now being considered. We should hear back in about three weeks whether it is approved as written or if we have to modify it, or if it's already been done and we have to increase it or something. I've looked through a lot of their stuff and haven't found anything that's quite the same," said Mazur.

The mass ascension would be only one part of the three-day festival which will be held at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds and also the Van Wert County Regional Airport on the weekend following the Van Wert County Fair.

Mazur explained, "What we're going to do is have about 3,000 kids and family members carry 25,000 balloons onto the infield and form into the shape of a flag. Underneath the flag, we'll have 'Van Wert County, U.S.A.' and then a sponsor underneath that. The idea is that the National Anthem would play, then the signal is given and all the balloons would ascend."

The result will certainly be a sight to behold. Mazur mentioned that he would love to see video of the release go viral on the Internet, bringing more exposure to Van Wert County.

Plans for the 2012 Hot Air Festival are progressing well. Back in December, Mazur and others were worried that the attempted comeback of the hot air balloon event was going to fall flat again. Since that time, the Van Wert County Regional Airport Authority and the Van Wert County Fair Board have joined forces with the festival providing not only locations for event activities, but also financial partners. Both co-sponsors will split half the revenue with another 10 percent going to participating local service organizations. The rest of the revenue will be put back into the festival for the 2013 edition.

How much money will that be? Mazur said he drew up a conservative budget based on three-day attendance of 15,000 persons paying a small admission cost along with sponsorship funds minus expenses.

"Bottom line," Mazur predicted, "With those numbers I think we're going to generate about $35,000.... My objective is to have this paid for before we open that gate." He is busily selling sponsorships for the balloons and other attractions.

Other features being planned for the September festival include softball and cornhole tournaments, live music, tethered and distant balloon rides, food vendors, and widescreen television allowing festival-goers to watch college football also. There are other possibilities still under negotiation also. The traditional hot air balloon launches and glows will return as well to delight crowds. At the airport site, there will be a fly-in breakfast, airplane and helicopter rides. Shuttle buses to transfer people from one site to the other will also be available.

Mazur's involvement has also helped the comeback attempt gain traction in town. Previously, he was one of the principals involved with the Festival of Flight at the airport.

"I was lucky. I have pretty good credibility because of the air show. My wife and I did that along with the group I was working with. It came together very nicely. The first one we did, we only had ten weeks to do it," recalled Mazur. "When I was doing that, I was hoping I could get the fairgrounds involved, so this is like the best of both worlds."

Story By Ed Gebert / Times Bulletin