Charity Collaboration
In 1986, Cleveland was attempting to rebrand as a hip, up-and-coming urban paradise. The city's United Way branch proposed an unconventional method of drumming up buzz: They wanted to set a world record that would double as a fundraising event for the nonprofit network.
The Bar Was High
At the time, the record for Biggest Simultaneous Balloon Launch was held by Disneyland, which had been established one year prior at the park's 30th anniversary. Thus, the planning began. Balloonfest would raise funds for the local branch of United Way while drawing attention to the city's changing image.