Advertisement Aloft declares bankruptcy, says event 'will be no more' Workers worry they will never get paid Share Shares Copy Link Copy

One of the Upstate's most well known annual events has declared bankruptcy.A release from Aloft, Inc., formerly Freedom Weekend Aloft, Wednesday afternoon said, "Aloft, along with its many sponsors and dedicated volunteers has contributed to the Upstate for more than three decades. "This premier Southeastern event filled with beautiful hot air balloons, music venues, outdoor adventures, and a community focus will be no more due to lack of attendance. "With heavy hearts, the Board of Directors and event organizers announced today that Aloft is in the process of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy."Several vendors and workers told WYFF News 4 that they have not been paid by the festival since it ended last month."This is the first year that they did this to me, not pay me like they said they would," said Danny Putnam.Putnam has worked at the festival for the past three years. He said he was promised $600 to clean the bathrooms. But he hasn't gotten his check.He said he was depending on the money for a summer trip, but now he will have to cancel."You don't have a clue how disappointing it is because I had been planning this since last year," said Putnam.The band TJ Lazer performed at the festival both this year and last year. Band member Thomas McPartland said last year they got paid weeks late, and this year they worry they won't get paid at all."Honestly I was not surprised. There had been murmurings for the past year to 18 months about how Aloft last year didn't really make any money," said McPartland.He said he and his band mates depend on that money."For us, it's about being able to get to the next gig, pay for gas to get there and be able to take a couple bucks on the weekend to bring home to our families," said McPartland.The city of Simpsonville confirmed that the festival defaulted on its payment plan.WYFF News 4 found that Aloft owes the city tens of thousands of dollars in back rent from the 2013 festival.Interim City Manager David Dyrhaug confirmed that Aloft missed its May 31 payment of $2,000 plus interest.According to the payment plan WYFF obtained through the Freedom Of Information Act, Aloft was scheduled to pay the city of Simpsonville $7,500 in June and $12,500 in July, plus interest, to clear the 2013 balance.Then in August a $30,000 payment is scheduled to cover the 2014 festival.The Skinner Law Firm is representing Aloft. The firm said it does not have a comment at this time.Do you plan to buy the new Apple watchMobile users click here to take survey