Council approves Insane Inflatable 5K at Richard Bong Airport; organizer says event will be free of city cost

The Common Council on Jan. 20 approved a request from Townsquare Media to host an "Insane Inflatable 5K" at Richard Bong Airport on Saturday, May 30, 2015. Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Morgan introduced the request and a representative from Townsquare described the event.

David Drew, identified himself as "David Drew with Townsquare Media," described the event as a 3.1-mile course with 12 to 15 inflatable obstacles and said the main goal was community recreation and fun. He told the council the event would take place at the Richard Bong Airport and that organizers would provide shuttle service and parking arrangements. Drew said organizers were "covering all the insurance costs, as well for the city," and named title sponsors including Northland Chevrolet and Saint Croix Casino. He also reported that registration had already exceeded "the 400 participant mark" on social media before heavy promotion.

Councilors questioned whether the school and student counselors had heard of the event and discussed potential community interest; Mayor Hagen and council members welcomed the event and expressed hope it would become an annual spring event. Councilor (name not specified) asked whether the event would cost the city; the reply from a Townsquare representative was "No. There isn't."

The council approved the item by voice vote. No public-safety conditions, road closures beyond the described shuttle and parking plan, or city expenditures were recorded on the transcript. Organizers indicated involvement from radio-station personnel and local nonprofits as on-site manpower and said local businesses were considering post-event activities to draw participants downtown.