High Hopes
"A lot of technical research and research through the city permits, it's endless. It's absolutely astonishing to try to get something like this off," said Treb Heining, the man behind the impending disaster. "This is a prime example of what United Way is trying to do in terms of saying, 'Cleveland, it's your time.' It's time to say yes. It's time to say it is a happening city. We are on the move. It's no longer the butt of jokes."
Day of the Launch
Of the 2,500 Balloonfest volunteers, most were students. In preparation for the event, they spent the entire morning of September 27, 1986 pumping helium into balloons. The media swarmed Public Square, interviewing organizers, participants, and observers alike. In only a few short hours, catastrophe would strike.