In 1986, Cleveland was attacked by ... balloons

In 1986, Cleveland, Ohio, proved that balloons, which we all consider a symbol of holidays and carnivals, can become a terrible proof of the validity of the expression "A little good". 

It all started when an organization called United Way decided to set a new world record by simultaneously releasing the largest number of helium-filled balloons into the air. 

Photographer Tom Sheridan was nearby and captured the event on camera, which turned into chaos. The United Way organization is a charity, and the purpose of this event was to raise money, but in the end, the release of 1.5 million colorful balloons over the city led to the fact that more was spent on cleaning than was collected.

The charity organization United Way wanted to set a record for the number of balloons released at the same time — a PR move, like many similar world records. Numerous volunteers filled 1.5 million balloons with helium as part of the Balloonfest ' 86 event.

All this colorful splendor cost the United Way organization no less than 500 thousand dollars.

A thunderstorm was predicted that day, so the organizers decided to release the balloons early in the morning. The start was perfect. On the morning of September 27, 1.5 million balloons rose majestically to the sky.

The colorful spectacle in the sky shocked local residents and tourists. Colorful balloons filled the sky over Cleveland, and for some time it was as if a rainbow burst into hundreds of thousands of balloons. It was like a huge success. And then there was a disaster…

When the rain finally started, the balls got wet, but they began not to burst, but to sink to the ground. As a result, they closed the entire surface of Lake Erie.

At that moment, the coast guard was working there to search for two fishermen whose boat capsized. Later, these people were found dead in the waters of the lake. Because of the balls that covered almost the entire surface of the lake, it was almost impossible to find the head of a person who was trying to stay on the surface.

The balloons also scared several expensive racehorses, who injured each other, because of which their owners sued the United Way organization. By the way, they won the case.

One of the widows of fishermen who drowned on Lake Erie sued United Way for $3.2 million, and, as the owners of the horses, eventually received the money.

And although latex balls are a biodegradable product, they caused a lot of noise throughout the region before they decomposed.

So the attempt to make a grand spectacle and break the record turned into trouble, leading to two deaths, millions of lawsuits and a devastating impact on the environment.