While the weather wasn’t ideal for launching balloons, organizers described the weather as “perfect” for a long run. The Balloon Fest Fundraiser 5K/10K had 198 runners and local sponsors raise more than $5000 for Knoxville and Pella Schools’ Cross Country Programs. Pella Assistant Cross Country Coach Mike Buchheit says he’s grateful for the amount of community support for the event. Since its inception, the Balloon Fest 5K/10K runs have raised roughly $18,000, which is split evenly between Knoxville’s and Pella’s Cross Country teams.