NATCHEZ — Ed Godfrey was a part of the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race for as long as anyone can remember, and now, after his death in September,  he will continue to be at the festival’s center.

Ritchie Montgomery, an actor and lifetime friend of Godfrey, announced the dedication of the Ed Godfrey Sports Tent Saturday morning.

Godfrey and his wife, Laura, have volunteered with the balloon race for more than 20 years, dedicating countless hours to its staging.

Godfrey first had the idea for a tent with televisions streaming football games during the festival nearly 10 years ago, former balloon race director Babs Price said. Naming the tent for Godfrey was a no-brainer, she said.

“Ed was a dear friend,” Price said. “Ed meant a lot to us. All of us.”

The tent was filled with Godfrey’s friends and family, and everyone there  had a memory to share.

“He always had a sly smile,” said Margo Uter, who had known Godfrey since high school. “I remember him as such a good person, so helpful and thoughtful.”

High school friend Randall Golden said Godfrey had mastered a skill few people had.

“As a young man, we were on a quest to be cool,” Golden said. “Ed mastered that. For him, that meant cool-headed, cool under pressure.”

Montgomery, who had skipped the premiere of his latest movie “Geostorm” to come to the balloon race, said he had known Godfrey since they were children.

“He was one of the most wonderful, endearing human beings I have ever known,” Montgomery said. “I will keep a warm place for him in my heart forever.”

Ed Godfrey’s father, Dr. William Godfrey and his wife Rose, sat in the shaded tent and greeted visitors as they passed.

“We’re very pleased,” Rose Godfrey said. “He worked for the balloon race for years, and I think he’d be thrilled.”

As the official dedication approached, friends of the Godfreys passed glasses of champagne and gathered around Montgomery.

“He was the heartbeat of this balloon race,” Montgomery said. “He ran everything in this festival, and we will miss him greatly.”

The attendees raised glasses of champagne toward the miniature hot-air balloon that was made of white and red lights.

“To Ed!” they all said.

When Montgomery had finished his dedication to his friend, a member of the crowd said, “Maybe the Saints will win for him tomorrow.”

“And Ole Miss today,” another in the crowd responded as the somber moment broke into light-hearted laughter.