ThePitchfordGroup.com RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Launch Highlight of Grand Ledge Island Festival

Grand Ledge, MI, October 21, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Six-year-old Kai Davis of Holt was pretty sure he didn't want to dangle in the basket of the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Oct. 9 - even though it was firmly tethered to three vehicles owned by the city of Grand Ledge.

Egged on by his family, though, he climbed aboard.

"It was scary, "Kai said when he got back to the baseball field in downtown Grand Ledge, but he had a big smile on his face.

Free balloon rides for all who wanted them - that was the gift to the Color Cruise and Island Festival crowd from Jim, Pam and Cody Pitchford of ThePitchfordGroup.com and about 60 people accepted.

RE/MAX has the largest corporate balloon fleet in the world, according to Jim Pitchford, with the one at the festival stored in Mason.

"We love Grand Ledge," Pitchford said.

"Today was a chance for Grand Ledge to come together."

He acknowledged that the event wouldn't have happened without the cooperation of many people, including public services director Larry LaHaie, clerk Greg Newman and parks commission chair Marv Hummel.

"We owe a lot to the city of Grand Ledge," Pitchford said, adding that the ball field was the perfect venue.

After the tethered rides that kept the huge balloon about 40 feet in the air, Grand Ledge fire chief Casey Godlewski and his wife Jo had the opportunity to celebrate their wedding anniversary in a unique way.

They soared on a ride that took them to a cornfield between Potterville and Charlotte, with a chase vehicle ready to bring them back home.

Video and photos of the Grand Ledge Balloon Caper are available at ThePitchfordGroup.com

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