Economic conditions are scaling back two popular Chamber of Commerce-sponsored events: holiday luminarias and hot air balloon ascensions at The Great Fair in February.

Chamber President Frank Ferrara revealed at the Nov. 4 Fountain Hills/Fort McDowell Visitors Bureau meeting that luminarias will be limited this year to the Avenue of the Fountains and around Fountain Park.

In addition, the February fair will not feature any hot air balloons at Fountain Park.

Luminarias are small paper bags filled with sand and hold a candle. Luminarias along the town’s major roadways for three evenings before Christmas have been a Southwest tradition for the town.

In previous years, about 5,000 luminarias were assembled, distributed and lit by volunteers.

Committee member Rebecca Ellision expressed disappointment in reducing the scope of  luminarias. She asked Ferrara if a grassroots movement could take on the project. He replied it would not be practical.

Votive candles at an expense of $5,000 should have been ordered in March, said Ferrara. In addition to the cost, recruiting volunteers to maintain the luminarias has become more difficult.

The Sunday morning ascension of hot air balloons will be eliminated in 2010 from The Great Fair, Feb. 26-28.

The three-day juried art fair will observe its 23rd year with nearly 480 artists and craftspeople, musical entertainment and food booths.

“We found that the balloonists were more difficult to come by,” said Ferrara.

At one point, The Great Fair attracted 45 balloonists; last year the number had dwindled to 16. Early indications were that only six or seven balloonists were interested in participating this year, said Ferrara.

“It’s a reality of life,” explained Ferrara, referring to the economic effects on businesses.

Ferrara said both Chamber decisions are “not set in stone” and the hot air balloons and extensive display of luminarias could be restored in the future.

“These times require certain adjustments,” said Visitors Bureau director Mark McDermott.

Town recreation supervisor manager Bryan Hughes said an upscale national auto club has expressed interest in sponsoring a one-day upscale show in Fountain Park in January 2011.

Hughes said the exhibit would be scheduled around the time of several car auctions in the Valley and would spotlight vehicles in the $250,000 to $500,000 range.

Committee members talked about the possibility of planning other events that would appeal to car collectors.