Balloonfest '86 facts for kids
| Date | September 27, 1986 |
|---|---|
| Time | Around 1:50 PM EDT |
| Location | Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Organized by | United Way of Cleveland |
| Outcome |
|
| Non-fatal injuries | Multiple horses |
| Property damage | Multiple traffic collisions |
| Litigation | 2 lawsuits |
Balloonfest '86 was a huge event in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, on September 27, 1986. The local United Way group organized it to raise money. They tried to set a world record by releasing almost 1.5 million colorful balloons!
This event was meant to be a fun way to get attention. But the balloons did not float away as planned. Instead, they drifted back over the city and Lake Erie. They landed everywhere, causing unexpected problems.
The event caused issues for traffic and even a nearby airport. It also made it harder for the United States Coast Guard to search for two missing boaters. In the end, the organizers faced some difficulties and the event actually lost money.
Contents
Getting Ready for the Big Day
A company from Los Angeles called Balloonart by Treb helped organize Balloonfest '86. They spent six months getting everything ready.
Workers built a giant rectangular structure in Public Square. It was as big as a city block and three stories tall. This structure held all the balloons. It was covered with a special net.
Inside, 2,500 volunteers worked hard. Many were high school students. They spent hours filling balloons with helium. One volunteer said it felt like an "assembly line" because they worked non-stop. All volunteers received free T-shirts.
The United Way first wanted to release two million balloons. But they ended up with over 1.4 million. Kids helped by selling sponsorships. For just $1, people could sponsor two balloons to help the United Way.
The Grand Balloon Release
On Saturday, September 27, 1986, a rainstorm was coming. So, the organizers decided to release the balloons early. They launched them around 1:50 p.m.
More than 100,000 people gathered in downtown Cleveland. They watched as nearly 1.5 million balloons floated up from Public Square. The colorful balloons surrounded the Terminal Tower. This amazing sight broke a world record for the most balloons ever released at once!
Unexpected Problems and Challenges
Normally, helium balloons float high and deflate before falling. But the Balloonfest balloons hit a cold air front and rain. This made them fall back to Earth while still full of air.
The falling balloons covered land and water in Northeast Ohio. Many balloons washed up on the Canadian side of Lake Erie. This caused some water pollution. People had thought the balloons would pop high in the sky and disappear.
Impact on Travel and Safety
The Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport had to close a runway. This happened for 30 minutes because balloons landed there. Drivers also faced problems. Some cars crashed as people tried to avoid the falling balloons. Others were distracted by the amazing sight.
Search and Rescue Difficulties
Two fishermen, Raymond Broderick and Bernard Sulzer, went missing on September 26. Their families reported them missing on the day of the balloon release. Rescuers found their boat.
However, a United States Coast Guard helicopter had trouble reaching the area. Many balloons had landed in the lake. A rescue boat also tried to find the fishermen. But the balloons in the water made it impossible to see. The Coast Guard stopped their search on September 29. The fishermen were later found. A Coast Guard official stated in 2024 that the Balloonfest did not cause their deaths.
Animal Concerns and Costs
Balloons also landed in a field in Geauga County, Ohio. This scared Louise Nowakowski's Arabian horses. She said her horses were hurt because of the fright. She later reached an agreement with the United Way.
The event was meant to raise money. But it ended up costing more than it earned. This was due to all the unexpected problems.
What We Learned and Remember
The 1988 edition of The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Balloonfest '86. It held the world record for the "largest ever mass balloon release." A total of 1,429,643 balloons were launched. However, Guinness no longer tracks records for balloon releases.
In 2017, a short film called Balloonfest was made about the event. After the event, news reports about Balloonfest became more critical. It taught many people about the unexpected effects of large-scale balloon releases.
See also
In Spanish: Balloonfest '86 para niños
 | James B. Knighten |
 | Azellia White |
 | Willa Brown |
