MIDFIRST OHIO CHALLENGE NAMES NEW LEADERS

When MidFirst Ohio Challenge opens the gates July 18-19-20, 2008, it will be under the direction of new committee chairperson Maria Langendorf. Mrs. Langendorf has been involved with the event from its beginning, serving as entertainment chair.  She is also Community Relations Manager at Middletown Public Library system. Many local residents will recognize her as the hostess of “8 Minutes in Middletown” a regular segment on TV Middletown.

Mrs. Langendorf follows Rod Hale as chairperson. Hale chaired the 2006 and 2007 balloon events. Other past chairs are Ginger Bruggeman, Dan Sack and Dave Pearce, all of whom remain involved with the event as sub-committee chairs.

Also moving up in the organization is Paula Hale taking over for the retiring event coordinator Peggy Ketron who managed the event for two years.  Mrs. Hale has also been involved since the event began and has served most recently as the food vendor chairperson.

Other members of MidFirst Ohio Challenge’s executive committee remain: Dave Pearce-Treasurer, Dr Mark Frazer and James Wannemacher – Balloon Pilot Representatives, David Hart – Team Fastrax Skydivers, Ginger Smith-City of Middletown and Ann Mort – Publicity. Rod Hale will serve as Immediate Past

Chair/Advisor.

According to Mrs. Langendorf, “It will be a pleasure to work with the MidFirst Ohio Challenge committee. It speaks well for the event management that there have been so few changes to the core committee in the past five years. Everyone involved knows their job and we enjoy working together. There is, however, always a need to fill a few volunteer positions. We will be looking for volunteers who enjoy hard work, putting on a top notch event and having fun at the same time.”

MidFirst Ohio Challenge is a three-day festival centered around a competitive hot air balloon event and skydiving demonstration located at Smith Park in downtown Middletown. The 2008 event will include many of the elements crowds have enjoyed in the past such as musical concerts, arts and crafts and festival foods plus some new things to see and do.

The event, now in its sixth year, has drawn up to 70,000 guests each year to the  site. Middletown is situated midway between Dayton and Cincinnati, just off I-75 and within easy driving distance to other major attractions such as Kings Island.

Event hours: Friday 4-10:30 pm, Saturday Noon-10:30 pm, Sunday Noon-7:00 pm. Admission is $2 for adults (over 12) walking into the grounds OR $5 per car regardless of number of occupants. RV’s and Buses are $25 for parking.

For more information about MidFirst Ohio Challenge, call 513-705-1770 or visit www.ohiochallenge.com website.