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The Cleveland balloon disaster

In 1986, during a world record attempt and publicity stunt, one and a half million balloons were released as a storm rolled over the city.

In 1986, a world record attempt was launched by the city of Cleveland, in the US.

One and a half million balloons were blown up by volunteers ready to be released into the sky, with thousands of people watching.

It was meant to be a dazzling publicity stunt, but due to strong winds and a cold front, the balloons didn't float away as expected.

Colm Flynn speaks to Tom Holowatch, who was the project manager of BalloonFest '86, about how this became one of the most memorable days in the history of Cleveland, for all the right, and wrong reasons.

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(Photo: BalloonFest. Credit: Getty Images)

Release date:

10 minutes

On radio

Wed 30 Jul 2025 07:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 30 Jul 2025 07:50GMT
  • Wed 30 Jul 2025 11:50GMT
  • Wed 30 Jul 2025 17:50GMT
  • Wed 30 Jul 2025 21:50GMT
  • Thu 31 Jul 2025 02:50GMT

Podcast