By Becky Maxedon

Each year following one of the premier events of the season in Lake Havasu City – the Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair in January – the beneficiaries of all the hard work put in are announced.

That happened today when the Balloon Festival Director and others presented donations to Lake Havasu City nonprofits.

Balloon Festival director Steve Ticknor said $165,000 was raised by the five clubs who produce the event.

“We hit the $2 million milestone this year. So over 14 years, we are at $2,090,000,” Ticknor said.

The Balloon Festival was originally designed to provide proceeds to the nonprofit community. Local service organizations including Daybreakers Lions Club, London Bridge Rotary Club, Lake Havasu City Rotary Club, Sunrise Rotary Club and Kiwanis of Havasu come together to make the event happen every year.