It’s not summer in the greater Binghamton area without the Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally, one of the top three hot air balloon events in the U.S. and a magnet for hundreds of thousands of folks who love food , music and fun.

And it’s not Spiedie Fest without NYSEG.

Once again, NYSEG was a key participant of the August 2-4 event, sponsoring the hot air balloon launches and staffing a booth that focused on gas safety.

“Our booth is always one of the most popular venues at Spiedie Fest,” said Bob Pass, Regional Manager of Community Outreach and Development .

Six Binghamton Division gas fitters worked all day on Saturday, August 3 making yellow plastic gas pipe hula-style hoops. The gas fitters used 8,000 feet of actual gas pipe to make over 600 hoops. Approximately 20 NYSEG volunteers also distributed natural gas safety information including the new “Nosey Smell Gas? Act Fast! Call 911” refrigerator photo magnets, Nosey Sniffer Test Stickers and other gas safety related materials.

“It was a beautiful day on Saturday at Spiedie Fest and our employee volunteers had a great time making and distributing Hula Hoops and seeing the smiles on the faces of all the young children and the children at heart,” Pass said.

In case you’re wondering, Spiedies are small pieces of marinated meat (lamb, chicken, pork or beef) that can be skewered and then grilled. For 35 years, Spiedie Fest has been a summer highlight and has donated more than $1 million to causes and organizations in Broome County.