Record-Breaking PR Stunt Ends in Citywide Chaos

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.

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The More You Know

  • The world's most densely populated island is the size of two soccer fields.
  • Following the release of Rocky IV, a joke was making rounds in Hollywood. Since Rocky had run out of opponents, he would have to fight an alien if a fifth movie was made. Jim and John Thomas took the joke seriously and wrote a screenplay based on it, which later became the movie "Predator".
  • Saint Patrick's Day began as a "feast day". To honor him, Christians could put aside their Lenten restrictions on food and alcohol consumption, which is why excessive drinking has become linked to the celebration.
  • Crayola is literally "oily chalk."
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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.