GONZALES - Officials in Ascension Parish say that this year’s Ascension Hot Air Balloon Festival is cancelled due to recent historic flooding and in anticipation of any further weather events.

“We are hurting, but on the mend, in Ascension Parish. Over 50% of our annual attendees at the Hot Air Balloon Festival are folks from the affected areas,” said Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa. “I want them to know we are experiencing this trial together, and next year we will bring the Hot Air Balloon Festival back for everyone to enjoy.”

The festival was scheduled for Sept. 23 and 24 at the center off Louisiana Highway 30 and Interstate 10.

The usual site of the festival, the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, remains fully operational and has served as a center for recovery activities in the parish. The expo center has been used as a shelter, a staging spot for debris and also is playing host to a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center.

Parish and state officials said they are also in discussions concerning the use of Lamar-Dixon for any future weather events that may threaten south Louisiana through the remainder of hurricane season.