Launch Schedule Inside! Pages 8 & 9
Bottom Line JULY 2014
The
Balloon Festival is summer tradition
T
he Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Balloon Festival, an annual summer tradition in the Hudson Valley, will take place from July 4-6 at various sites around the area. In total, over 75 balloon take-offs are scheduled during the weekend. All launches are open to the public and complimentary to attend, and many feature community gatherings, food and drink and much more. The Festival begins with evening launches scattered throughout Dutchess County at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 4. At 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, all balloons in town will dot the sky over the Hudson
River, taking off from the docks of the Hudson River Rowing Association. This event provides tremendous photographic opportunities and the Walkway Over the Hudson will be open early for
guests seeking a unique, elevated vantage point.
After the morning launches Saturday, stick around for the firstever Dragon Boat Race and Festival on the Hudson River. The event offers a fun day of recreational racing, food and music. All proceeds after expenses benefit two local non-profits: Arts Mid-Hudson and Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. For complete information, including how to register and FAQs, please visit dutchessdragonboat.org Another round of 6 p.m. departures will take place Saturday evening at various sites before a second 6 a.m. mass launch at the Hudson River Row-
Balloon Festival Event Sponsored By:
ing Association Boathouse on Sunday, July 6.. All scheduled events are weather permitting with both forecast rain and wind liable to alter launch schedules. Upto-the-minute information about the status of all launches will be available on the Chamber’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ DutchessChamber. A special Moon Glow launch is scheduled for Saturday, July 5 at the Vassar Alumnae House. For a fee, attendees can take their festival experience to new
heights by actually riding alongside a trained and certified professional pilot in one of the hot air balloons. Anyone wishing to make arrangements for this ride should contact Bill Hughes of Blue Sky Balloons at 888-999-2461. All information about the Balloon Festival, including sponsors, balloonist bios, launch sites and more can be found by visiting the special festival section of the Chamber’s website at dcrcoc.org/ balloonfestival. Anyone with questions is asked to contact the Chamber at 845-454-1700 ext. 1000.
Hear how bridges are a connection to commerce
Contact Breakfast Sponsored By:
to run and maintain them, can be a boost to the local economy at the July Contact Breakfast on Wednesday, July 16 from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel and Conference Center. Joe Ruggiero, Executive Director of the New York State Bridge Authority, will deliver the keynote address. Ruggiero was appointed by the Board of Commissioners of the New York State Bridge Authority to the position of Executive Director in 2010. He serves as the Chief Operating and Executive Officer of the Hudson Valley based public benefit
transportation authority. He’ll discuss how the Bridge Authority is willing and able to work directly with you and your business. more Learn at nysba.state. ny.us. Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union RuggieRo proudly sponsors the July Contact Breakfast. Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union offers a full suite of banking services,
Firmbach & Firmbach Certified Public Accountants
from checking/savings accounts to mortgages, loans, insurance, financial planning and much more. See how they can help you at hvfcu.org. The Chamber’s Ambassador Committee is collecting canned and dry goods to benefit Dutchess not-for-profit and Outreach, members from the Vassar-Warner Home and St. Peter’s School will also be in attendance. Tickets cost $20 for Chamber members with advance purchase or are $25 at the door. Non-members can attend for $30. To register, call 845-454-1700 ext. 1000 or visit dcrcoc.org.
Small Business Partner of the Month ............. 2 Business After Hours ................................ 3 Member Spotlight - DCH Wappingers Falls Toyota ..... 5 New Members...................................10-11 The Chamber Foundation .........................14
A F a m i l y A c c o u n t i n g p r a c t i c e Our family has been serving the Hudson Valley’s Accounting needs for the last 50 years.
Call and ask for Karl or Rudy 845-454-5440
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hether traveling for business or pleasure, the Mid-Hudson, Newburgh-Beacon, Rip Van Winkle, Bear Mountain and KingstonRhinecliff Bridges connect us to friends, family, colleagues and commerce. Learn more about how these spans, and the work required