'Times Have Changed': South County Balloon Festival Ends

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — After four decades of family fun, the South County Balloon Festival has come to an end. Tom Tarzwell, President of the Rotary Club of Wakefield, said the event had run its course, and several factors contributed to the decision.

"As time goes on, things change," Tarzwell said.

The festival, which began in 1979, changed locations several times over the years before finding a long-term home at the University of Rhode Island athletic fields in Kingston. What began as a massive open space became more constrained over time, Tarzwell said.

"Things got tighter and tighter," he said, adding that URI officials said in 2018 that the festival most likely wouldn't be able to be held on campus in coming years.

Initially, the rotary club tried to find another location suitable to hold the sprawling event, briefly considering relocating it to Ninigret Park in Charlestown. While the large park has enough room for the festival, there were concerns over wind due to its proximity to the ocean.

Additionally, the festival was becoming more and more expensive, leading to slimmer profit margins for the fundraising event.

"Everything is weather dependent, if you've got a weekend that won't be good for the balloons, then you're in trouble," Tarzwell said.

On top of financial concerns, Tarzwell said the event has lost some of its luster, with guests no longer coming back year after year.

"People were ready for change," he said. "Times have changed, and people's interests have changed as well."

Featuring carnival rides, games, local music and, of course, hot air balloons, the weekend-long event was a family favorite for decades.

"It's been a great experience over the years," Tarzwell said. "I was there for the first one, and I was able to be there for the last."