There are 2 types of balloons: the “traditional” ones you see up in the air and “cold air” balloons which are basically inflatable lawn ornaments. The traditional balloons can be close to 40 feet high and need 35 to 40 people to hold them down. The cold air balloons are tied down to a float-like cart and hooked up to a generator to keep them inflated and usually have no more than 8 people assigned to them; 4 at the corners, 4 in the middle. The people at the corners control the platform stirring; the people in the middle are there to add support. My first balloon was a cold air balloon called the Snow Globe. It was fairly easy to handle until the platform got a flat tire about a half mile into the parade route. We ended up being towed by not 1 but 2 golf carts for the rest of the parade. The producers did not want us on TV with said golf carts, so we were told to speed through the performance area in front of the Art Museum. I somehow missed the memo, so that when we got there, and the golf carts sped up, I almost took a face plant into the Parkway because I couldn’t keep up. Thankfully, I let go before that happened; thankfully if for no other reason than the potential photographic evidence. Weather does play a factor in whether the balloons are used or not and also when. If it is too cold like in the case of the 2018 parade, the traditional balloons will not walk the parade route but come in right before the performance area. That is done so the balloons don’t need to be continually reinflated along the parade route. The cold air area balloons walk the route because of the generator and as the name implies, they’re designed for the cold air. Wind can also be a factor. The producers grounded all of the balloons for the 2019 parade for this reason. They made the decision the morning of, and gave everyone the option of walking, watching, or going home. I was there, I was dressed in the jumpsuit that everyone needed to wear, and it was the 100th parade… there was no way I was missing it, so I was walking. My team went out to watch the parade go by until it was our turn to enter. At some point, I noticed my Fitbit was missing, I found it in my jumpsuit under my armpit; it came undone as I was putting it on. I was able to get it out of the jumpsuit and back on my wrist. As I finish up, I see my team is out on the route approaching City Hall with a marching band between me and them. At this point, I should probably mention I’m not what you would call the athletic type. I say this because after a few not so lady-like words, I break into a full sprint to try and catch up to my team. Even in that moment I was laughing at the idea of me running full speed up JFK Blvd. So feel free to laugh at my expense, I’m okay with it. Really, I am. One thing I really enjoy happens along the route. During the parade the kids along the route will chant “Spin it, spin it.” Which means run in a circle and spin the balloon. Sometimes the cops will encourage them. One year a cop got in front of us, told us to stop, and said, “Now spin.” Which we did much to the amusement of everyone around.
