By Janet Cruz

The Balloon Festival Committee awarded a total of $225,000 to local Lake Havasu nonprofits Wednesday, after a successful Balloon Festival and Fair in January.

“This year, we are excited to announce that we gave to five service clubs in town, and those clubs will go on and distribute those funds right out to the community. That’s really exciting,” said Steve Ticknor, Lake Havasu Balloon Festival Chairman.

Back in January, according to Ticknor, more than 20,000 visitors passed through the gates of the 12th annual Lake Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair, on January 19 through 23. That year saw it’s largest attendance which resulted in more funds to be donated back in Lake Havasu City.

“It was probably the second best year in the history of the Balloon Festival for giving back that kind of money to the community. So we’re pretty proud of that and we’re super happy and look forward to even better bigger event next year,” Ticknor said.

The five service clubs awarded include Sunrise Rotary club, London Bridge Rotary, Lake Havasu Rotary, Kiwanis club and Day Breakers Lions Club.

The Lions, Kiwanis and all three Rotary Clubs took part in volunteering for the Havasu Balloon Festival. The event was sponsored by Anderson Toyota.

The Day Breakers Lions Club hands out checks to local non-profits from the Havasu Balloon Festival. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Some of those nonprofits that will receive funds by the Day-Breakers Lion’s club include, Hospice of Havasu, Lake Havasu Community Health Foundation, Horizons, Milemarkers, K12-Foundation, LHC Parks and Rec after school program and spring break programs, Senior Center Meals on Wheels program, Lake Havasu Ballet, Saint Vincent De Paul Food Bank, Pregnancy Care, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Stem Project, Lake Havasu High School scholarships, Military Moms, Haven House and others.

For more information for nonprofits looking to apply next year, visit the Havasu Balloon Festival website https://havasuballoonfestival.com/