Ripon Hopes To Give Color The Sky Festival Another Chance

RIPON (CBS13) — Ripon has high hopes for its hot-air balloon festival after it almost didn't happen.

The city's new chamber foundation jumped in to save the festival, but it doesn't have the money yet. The new organizers have four months to get the festival off the ground.

"We actually started at zero," Ripon Chamber of Commerce CEO Tamra Spade said. "We didn't have the money to take this on. It's going to depend on the sponsorships we get."

The chamber's newly formed foundation decided to save the Color The Sky Festival after the original founders called it quits last year. Sponsors Taco Bell and Gallo Winery are on board to help, but the foundation has higher aspirations.

"Ours is very small only having 13 balloons and trying to grow it. Our goal this year is to reach at least 30 balloons," she said.

The event is slated for Labor Day Weekend. Organizers are in talks to bring Sacramento food trucks to the event.