Promoting trails in the sky

BY WENDY BIRD

Sometimes taking a risk brings great benefits. And although it may seem kind of odd, a group of local insurance brokers are actually encouraging people in the Greater Sudbury area to go on a hot air balloon ride this summer.

They are asking people to take part in Pilot Insurance's 11th annual hot air balloon program and make a donation to the Rainbow Routes Association, a non-profit group committed to developing non-motorized recreational trails.

"The money raised from the balloon event will be going towards the four largest projects that Rainbow Routes is working on this summer - namely the Bethel Lake Boardwalk, the Copper Cliff Trail, the Ramsey Lake Road Trail, and improvements to sections of the Junction Creek Waterway Park," said Kirk Dopson of W.W. Dopson Ltd, one of the event sponsors.

"We're really excited to have the Pilot balloon coming to Sudbury, since hot air balloons are a little unusual around here.  It's also a great way to raise awareness and funds for Rainbow Routes."

To give both adults and children a sample of hot air ballooning, tethered rides will be available at the James Jerome Sports complex (Lily Creek soccer fields) on Aug. 25 and 26, morning and evening, weather permitting. In lieu of purchasing ride tickets, the public is encouraged to make a small donation towards this year's trail projects.

People also have the chance to win an un-tethered flight for two in the balloon. The draw for a sunrise or sunset balloon flight (along with Q92 radio personalities Mell Dahl and Greg Williams) will take place Aug.21.

Anyone 12 years of age or older can enter to win. Tickets are available online through Q92's Rock Raffle at http://www.m2omedia.com/cjrq/nonmembers/spend/raffles .

Sudbury will be the 12th stop for Pilot Insurance's Hot Air Balloon Program, which visits fairs and festivals throughout Ontario and provides an opportunity for people to support charitable causes while offering them a unique adventure. The event will be co-hosted by W.W. Dopson Ltd. and Rainbow Routes Association, along with Gougeon Insurance, V. Pat Martin Insurance and Raymond Insurance. The four brokers are all representatives for Pilot Insurance.

As with most insurance policies, there are a couple of clauses: the event is completely dependent on the weather and you may have to sign a waiver before boarding the balloon.

"I've never been on a balloon before," said Dopson. "But I think it's a great idea, especially for our neck of the woods, as we rarely see this type of activity.  Plus, Rainbow Routes is always looking for new and different opportunities to profile what they do and the trails they help develop in Greater Sudbury."

For more information about the event, contact Kirk Dopson at 674-4201.