Balloonfest 86' and the aftermath

When you think of balloons does it unleash that tethered memory of your childhood? How you begged your parents for one at Disneyland or the mall or even at a county fair? 

Now that you're older do they represent something different entirely? Environmental impact maybe?

 What about their potential to disrupt a coastguard search for two missing fishermen? Or the damage they can cause to a community? After all, if I saw a cluster of pretty floating orbs above a highway, I would get distracted too. 

These are just some examples of the chaos caused by Balloonfest '86, but to understand how it became a problem for many that day, even a risk to life, we have to go back to the reason this event took place.  

In episode 5 "The Mistake on the Lake" (Listen below) 

Ballonfest 86 was organised as a friendly spin-off from Disneyland’s Skyfest. The Million Balloon Salute, which happened a year prior in 1985 to celebrate Walt Disney Land's 30th anniversary and Walt Disney's 84th birthday. 

The attention the event received caught the eye of many budding record-breakers including the nonprofit United Way.

Back then it was the style to promote your brand through huge publicity stunts, it generated buzz and got people hyped, but Irl highlight here that’s not always a good thing… Cleveland in particular had a spotty history with PR nightmares. Think ten cent beer night  and Cavaliers softball drop.

But United Way wanted to attract the younger generation to get involved in the lives of philanthropy and volunteering so what better way than through a fun event which contributed towards a Guinness world record. 

Of course, this wasn’t going to be easy, to achieve this they needed Rockstar visionary to get this off the ground, and who better than the very people who pulled off the same stunt just a year prior. 

Disney’s golden balloon boy Mr Treb heining, lived and breathed balloons ever since he was hired as a vendor at Disney at just 15 years old. In 1979 at 25 years old, he left to start his own venture “Balloon Art By Treb” in North Hollywood.  

It's on this journey he met production consultant Tom Holwach. Who by his side, provided the logistics to release balloons that wowed the crowds at the 1984 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies. After that, the two worked on all major projects together, including Balloonfest '86.  

Speaking to gizmodo in 2014, Tom breaks down what was used to build the structure that contained the balloons ready for release:

“We looked at what it would take to make one big bin with a top that could come off. It is possible to calculate the lift of a nine-inch helium balloon, and then multiply that by 2 million. It is possible to know the tensile strength of polyethene rope of various types. So, I somehow located the company in So Cal in the San Gabriel Valley that had made the nets for the cargo hold of the Space Shuttle. I gave them the lift and the size of the box... they calculated the "weave" that was needed for the net”

But he admits the event did not go as smoothly as they had planned. Just the night before a huge storm swelled through the city threatening the entire operation. Winds had ripped holes through both the net and the seam surrounding the bin, delaying any progress by 3 hours. 

The day of the event saw 100,000 people gather on the public square to see the release, local presenters big chuck and lil john were the men on the ground hosting the spectacle.

As the day unfolded, it was apparent that the weather was not on their side. To avoid further disruption or cancellation, organisers launched 10 minutes earlier at 1:50 pm. 

1,429,643 Balloons rose and danced around the terminal tower before navigating Ohio territory.

Host Lil John infamously and prematurely announced to the spectators:

“There is no mistake on the lake anymore” 

Poor timing, as the balloons collided with a burst of cool air and rain, sending them straight for waterways, airports and highways. 

When a helium-filled balloon rises, it's anticipated they rise to an average altitude of 10km before the outside air pressure bursts the material, sending the balloon back down to earth. So rather than the predicted 10% of balloons settling on Lake Eirie, a staggering 60% resided there instead. 

To make matters worse two fishermen, Raymond Broderick and Bernard Sulzer went missing the night prior, making rescue efforts more difficult.

Back on land, a woman named Louise Nowakowski was left with expensive vet bills, when her prized Arabian horses became spooked, injuring themselves when the balloons landed unexpectedly in their pasture.

Over the next few weeks, Canada became invaded with latex as the shores washed up what remained of the event. 

Neighbours were displeased to find so much pollution at their doorsteps with one resident describing his disbelief at the scene around him:

“A short time ago I was walking along the east beach of one of the special natural areas in Ontario-Rondeau Provincial Park. I was greatly dismayed, however, when I saw balloons along the shore, not just one or two but many. In an average 200-yard stretch along the east beach, I counted 140 balloons. In the same average distance along the south beach, there were at least 300. This translated into anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 balloons scattered along the 8-1/2 miles of shoreline at Rondeau.”

The negative press leaking out from Ontario caused a PR nightmare for United Way which led to the charity being sued by the wife of fisherman Raymond Broderick and Horse owner Louise Nowakowski, which were later settled out of court for undisclosed amounts. 

Although Guinness recognised the attempt and placed it in their 1988 edition, which you can find on page 290, they soon retired the category to prevent further environmental disruption.