The third-ever Big Balloon Build took place March 25-26 overlooking Wisconsin's Lake Geneva, at Covenant Harbor, and welcomed 75 balloon artists from the U.S. and beyond.Photo: Courtesy of the Big Balloon Build
Only the third such event that’s been held in America, it was spearheaded by Sara Meyer, owner of Wisconsin Balloon Decor (WBD), who originally got her start working with balloons at local festivals and parties. (Her first career was as an art teacher.) After opening WBD, she met designer Stuart Davies, CBA, who owns Beyond Balloons in Wales, U.K., and is the originator of the Big Balloon Build.
Considered a master builder, Davies travels as a guest designer to events like the World Balloon Convention. But the idea of the BBB was to host an event that benefits a designer’s local community, bringing together fellow artists willing to pay to participate and coordinate their own travel arrangements.
From the moment people walk in through the entry arch through to the final display, every design works in harmony with those that came before. “The theme at this year’s Big Balloon Build centered around our major sponsor, Kunes Auto & RV Group,” Meyer explained. “We came up with [the theme of] 'Inspired by the Great Outdoors' and chose to have animals doing the camping and RVing to allow for more creativity.” (For example, attendees could find a raccoon parasailing below a butterfly—all made out of balloons, of course.)
Volunteers, corporate sponsors, reduced rates, and material donations allowed the bulk of the money raised (which totaled more than $100,000) to be given to Inspiration Ministries, a local charity that works with the developmentally disabled in the area. Because the BBB benefitted a charitable organization, Meyer was able to secure Covenant Harbor (overlooking Lake Geneva) as a donated venue. She also worked with Visit Lake Geneva to assist in coordinating lodging for her guest artists, as well as planning “fun stuff” for group events outside of the build itself. 
Aside from a campfire, there was a waterfall and field of flowers and mushrooms. If you look closely, you can also spot a ladybug!Photo: Courtesy of Big Balloon Build
As for the general public, “We drew attendees from four or five states, which really benefitted local businesses,” Meyer noted. “It also promoted Lake Geneva as a destination, which is a smaller community but has a lot to offer.”
Likewise, the balloon artists were able to gain valuable media coverage in their local communities. “We had one couple from New Mexico, and they got just as much media coverage there as we did here. I’ve already had a boost in business as people have seen what can be done with balloons,” Meyer added.
Because the point of the BBB is to move the event around from place-to-place—allowing a host of communities to benefit from the fundraiser—an iteration of the event is now being planned in Colorado (with an outer space theme), and another in Indiana, which will be themed "Under the Big Top."
“Participation is as impressive as hosting, and it really is like a badge of honor,” Meyer said. “It’s not competitive, but collaborative. We [the designers] also get together ahead of time to put our social media channels to work using the same marketing messages, hashtags, and keywords so everyone is promoting the event simultaneously, in a cohesive way."
“It isn’t something any of us can do alone,” she continued. “The event takes a year of planning, and a ton of behind-the-scenes work goes into each design. But when it finally comes together, there’s nothing like it. Not even pictures or videos can do it justice.”
However, photos from this year's Big Balloon Build are wow-worthy nonetheless. Have a look...
