Balloonfest '86: A Tragic Tale of Ambition and Chaos

Overview

Balloonfest '86 was a fundraising event held in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 27, 1986, that aimed to set a world record by releasing nearly 1.5 million balloons into the sky. Organized by the local chapter of United Way, this extravagant spectacle intended to be a harmless publicity stunt quickly turned into a disastrous situation that would leave a lasting impact on the community.

The Grand Ambition

The event was coordinated by a Los Angeles-based company called Balloonart by Treb, led by balloon maestro Treb Heining. For six months leading up to the launch, the team meticulously prepared for what was billed as a monumental occasion. A massive rectangular structure, measuring 250 by 150 feet and standing three stories high, was erected in the southwest quadrant of Cleveland's Public Square. This impressive setup was covered with a one-piece net made of woven mesh material, designed to hold the balloons securely until launch.

Inside this behemoth structure, around 2,500 volunteers—predominantly local high school students—worked tirelessly to fill the balloons with helium. One volunteer described the scene as an "assembly line, non-stop," as they received free T-shirts for their efforts. Initially, the organizers aimed to release two million balloons but eventually capped the number at 1.4 million due to logistical challenges. Children participated in the fundraising by selling sponsorships, priced at $1 for every two balloons, with proceeds benefiting United Way.

The Launch: A Moment of Joy

On the fateful Saturday, September 27, 1986, a storm loomed on the horizon, but that didn’t deter the 100,000 strong crowd that gathered to witness the spectacle. At approximately 1:50 PM EDT, the countdown concluded, and the balloons were released. A breathtaking sight unfolded as nearly 1.5 million balloons soared into the sky, surrounding the iconic Terminal Tower and surpassing the previous world record set just the year before during Disneyland’s 30th anniversary.

The Fallout: A Series of Unfortunate Events

What happened next was nothing short of chaotic. Typically, helium-filled latex balloons float until they eventually deflate and descend. However, this time, they collided with a front of cool air and rain that forced them back down while still inflated. The result? A literal "asteroid field" of balloons raining down on Northeast Ohio.

The aftermath was disastrous. Balloons clogged land and waterways, with many landing in Lake Erie, leading to significant pollution. Misconceptions about balloon releases persisted—many believed that balloons would simply pop and disintegrate at high altitudes.

Burke Lakefront Airport was forced to shut down a runway for 30 minutes due to balloons landing there. Traffic accidents were reported as drivers swerved to avoid the "slow-motion blizzards" of colorful orbs raining down or distractedly gazed up at the spectacle.

Tragically, on the day of the event, two fishermen, Raymond Broderick and Bernard Sulzer, had gone missing. Their families reported them absent after their boat was spotted anchored west of the Edgewater Park breakwall. As search and rescue teams scoured the area, the balloons severely hampered their efforts, creating a chaotic scene that made it impossible to spot the men in the water. The Coast Guard ultimately suspended the search on September 29, and the bodies of the fishermen were later found washed ashore. In the wake of this tragedy, the wife of one of the fishermen filed a lawsuit against United Way and the event organizers for $3.2 million, which was settled under undisclosed terms. Roger Rice, the Search and Rescue Program Manager for Coast Guard District 9, stated in a 2024 interview that "Balloonfest did not have anything to do with the unfortunate deaths of both these men."

Further complicating matters, balloons landing in a pasture in Geauga County panicked Louise Nowakowski's Arabian horses, allegedly causing permanent injuries. She subsequently sued the United Way for $100,000, also settling for undisclosed terms. The balloon release not only resulted in significant property damage but also propelled the fundraiser into financial turmoil due to cost overruns, leaving it in the red.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

The 1988 edition of The Guinness Book of World Records recognized Balloonfest '86 as the event with the "largest ever mass balloon release," with a staggering 1,429,643 balloons launched. However, the organization has since ceased measuring such events due to environmental concerns.

Balloonfest '86 has since been documented in various media, including the 2017 short film titled "Balloonfest," which revisits the event with a critical eye. Following the film's release, reporting on the balloon incident took a decidedly negative turn, reflecting the complexities and consequences of what was once just a grand idea.

Sources

• Kroll, John (August 15, 2011). "Balloonfest 1986, the spectacle that became a debacle: Cleveland Remembers (video)." The Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
• Bellamy, Gail Ghetia (2013). Cleveland Summertime Memories: A Warm Look Back. Gray & Company. p. 65. ISBN 1938441508.
• O'Malley, Michael (September 26, 2011). "25 years ago, thousands watched a balloon launch on Public Square." The Plain Dealer. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
• McCormack, Simon (April 24, 2014). "Releasing 1.5 Million Balloons Into The Air Is A Bad Idea." The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
• Livingston, Tom (August 8, 2013). "Video Vault: Cleveland's 1986 Balloonfest, the world record that went bust." WEWS. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
• Stratford, Suzanne (September 27, 2021). "Balloonfest '86: 35 years since downtown Cleveland event turned disastrous." WJW-TV. Nexstar Media Wire.
• Burchette, D. K (July 29, 1989). "Balloon HQ Presents: Balloon Releases and the Environment." Balloon HQ. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
• Kushins, Jordan (April 22, 2014). "That Time Cleveland Released 1.5 Million Balloons and Chaos Ensued." Gizmodo. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
• Quinn, Chris (May 25, 2024). "The complete and true story of Cleveland's 1986 Balloonfest: Letter from the Editor." The Plain Dealer. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
• 1988 Guinness Book of World Records. New York: Sterling Publishing. 1987. p. 438. ISBN 9780806965994. OCLC 18803488. Retrieved July 8, 2018 – via The Internet Archive.
• "Claim to world record for 'Balloonfest '86' is not all hot air: Michael K. McIntyre's Tipoff." Cleveland.com. October 1, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
• Quinn, Chris (June 24, 2023). "Where truth ends and fake news begins on Cleveland's 1986 Balloonfest: Letter from the Editor." The Plain Dealer. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
• Buder, Emily (June 12, 2018). "Cleveland Balloonfest '86: A Short Film By Nathan Truesdell." The Atlantic.