Sedalia Chamber Cancels Balloon & Kite Festivals

The Sedalia Area Chamber of commerce announced late Friday afternoon that the Chamber would no longer host a hot-air balloon and kite festival, as it had done the previous two years.

The highly popular balloon festival was a big hit in 2023 and 2024 and a first for Sedalia, bringing lots of visitors, money and excitement to Sedalia two years in a row. The last festival was held the second weekend in June, a year ago.

An army of volunteers was required to make the show happen, along with lots of sponsorship funds.

Changes at the top

The Chamber recently announced a new director, Gabby White, who took over May 1 after the resignation of former director Debra Andresen in late January. Both have been invited to be on the radio to comment about their decisions (separately), but both have so far declined.

White, who resigned from the Boys & Girls Club after serving as assistant director of development, said in a facebook post that “leaving the Boys & Girls Clubs is bittersweet because of the incredible team I’ve worked alongside and all of the passionate individuals who dedicate their time and resources to ensuring our young people have every opportunity to succeed,” she said in her resignation letter.

“I will always be a champion for this incredible organization and it vital work,” White stressed.

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“Well, my time at the Boys & Girls Clubs is coming to an end as I have accepted the position as the Executive Director of the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce. BGC has had such a positive impact on my life so this change will be bittersweet, but I am truly excited to continue working with our community in this new capacity,” White said in her facebook post.

Andresen resigned from the Chamber after serving 13 years there. Her departure was announced by Lauren Thiel-Payne, Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce president.

Sedalia Chamber bows out

As for the balloon fest, it was previously announced by the Chamber that there would not be such a festival in 2025, but that it would return in 2026. Since then, that statement was amended to say that the Chamber will no longer be hosting the event “due to staffing limitations and available resources.”

The weekend festival typically included a demonstration of several large kites, numerous bounce houses, an exotic animal display as well as live musical entertainment and a contest.

The Chamber said on Friday that “this was not an easy decision, and we truly appreciate your understanding and continued support as we focus on other ways to serve and celebrate our community.”

Other options:

Two notable hot air balloon festivals are currently planned in Missouri: the Sikeston Hot Air Balloon Festival on June 20-21, and the Ozark Annual Balloon Glow on June 20.

Also, the 19th annual Hot Air Balloon Glow in Southwest Missouri will light up the sky on Friday, June 20, 2025 at Finley River Park in downtown Ozark.  "Part of the Sertoma Duck Race Festival, this free family-friendly event features hot-air balloons glowing at dusk -- perfect for photos and unforgettable memories," according to promotional material found online.