The Central Ohio Balloon Club (COBC) was founded in 1982 by a group of dedicated ballooning enthusiasts, including Joe Bookhammer, Sue Warner, Bob Henry, Jane Henry, Dan O'Brien, and Linda O'Brien. In its inaugural year, the Club established a tradition of communication with the publication of three newsletters, which provided vital information about local, national, and international ballooning events, as well as safety topics and other relevant news for its members. At that time, annual membership dues were set at just $10.

Tragically, the COBC was deeply impacted by the devastating accident on December 11, 1990, when the Bogey Inn Balloon collided with the WBNS tower. The crash claimed the lives of four balloonists—Eric Ingwersen, Scott D. Meeker, Doug Shirey, and Katherine L. Nemes. In their honor, a memorial plaque was placed at the Bogey Inn, where it remained until the establishment's closure in 2022. The plaque has since been relocated to the Union County Airport in Marysville, Ohio, ensuring that their memory lives on.

Over the years, the Central Ohio Balloon Club has played an active role in supporting many local balloon rallies. COBC members have served as Balloonmeisters at prominent events such as the Big Bear Balloon Festival, Balloons Off Broadway, Grove City Balloons & Tunes, the All Ohio Balloon Fest, and Liberty Lift-Off, contributing their expertise and passion for the sport to the success of these events.