Big Balloon Build invites community to larger-than-life carnival-themed balloon scenes

Photo: Michael Clubb

ELKHART — Visitors this weekend to the RV Hall of Fame will be instantly transported by sights, smells and sounds to an indoor carnival spanning 15,000 square feet and made out of balloons.

About 85 volunteers from around the world gathered for the Big Balloon Build to create the indoor carnival, with 12 unique scenes, including a spinning carousel, Ferris wheel, pirate ship, bumper cars, a rollercoaster and the grand entrance, the largest McDonald's balloon arch in the world.

The scenes will include 40 animal characters to bring the adventure to life. On Tuesday, a team worked on constructing a lion, which acts as the carnival's ring master, a moose and a unicorn, who will be placed in the seat of honor, a balloon-constructed wheelchair.

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"Anything you would see at a carnival is going to be here, but made of balloons," said the events's host and owner of South Bend-based balloon decor company Fun by the Yard, Jenn Nyikos, who chose the theme. "With popcorn machines going, you'll feel like you're in a carnival."

With an anticipated 5,000 people expected to attend from all over, from Fort Wayne to Chicago, Saturday's and Sunday's events are already sold out, but volunteers still worked steadily to complete the work on time.

“This is a challenge,” Nyikos said. “Comfortably, we can get it done in five to six days, but we want to give Ronald McDonald House a chance to enjoy it.” 

“We’ll finish up on Thursday afternoon," she said. "We’ll do a ribbon cutting and hand the event over to Ronald McDonald House, who the proceeds from the event will be donated towards.” 

Volunteers paid their own travel and hotel fees as well as took time off of their businesses attend.

Benefitting Ronald McDonald House

Officials with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana say the Big Balloon Build is more than a fundraiser, it's a chance to give back to Elkhart by bringing them a once-in-a-lifetime affair.

Big Balloon Build, which originally started in the U.K. in 2017 and was most recently in London, is in the United States for the fifth time. Choosing Elkhart as it's location was purposeful.

“In the last three years in a row, this is the number one county that we have served for the number of families that we have,” Kierstin Eifler, the CEO of RMHC Michiana, said. “For us, this has been very special and meaningful because we haven’t been able to host an event in Elkhart yet."

"We are so grateful to be the beneficiaries of this,” added the RMHC Michiana Director of Marketing Aaron Charles. “We have very deep roots in Elkhart County. Being able to meet people right here, where they’re at, and connecting with our Elkhart supporters, that is a huge output of this event too. It’s a way for us to share our mission, tell our story, and get the word out there more about what we do.

"I love that Michiana is in our name because we would not be here without this community.” 

Volunteer Theresa Harding, who's been in the balloon industry for 13 years, has a personal connection to the Ronald McDonald House's mission. Her husband is a childhood cancer survivor.

She said when they heard about a ballon build in Indiana, where her husband is from, they knew they needed to be a part of it, calling it something near and dear to their hearts. This is her fourth Big Balloon Build and his first.

“I love the fact that their mission is to spread joy and smiles to everyone,” she said. “Everyone always asks, what’s my favorite thing to make in a balloon? As cheesy as it sounds, it’s smiles. The fact that I can do that anywhere, there’s no better feeling in the world.” 

Family-friendly and environmentally-friendly

On Sunday, the event will host a popping party as a fun way to help remove balloons from the event. It starts at 1:30 p.m., for party popping ticket holders. Kids must be at least 10 years old.

All balloons, donated by the event's sponsor Prima Balloons, are 100% biodegradable and are made from rubber from trees, a fact Oregon-based balloon artist Marissa Matthews is thrilled by.

Matthews, who's on her sixth Big Balloon Build, discovered a passion for "twisting" after receiving cancer treatment. She became the "balloon lady" at a children's hospital, where she brings joy to kids through balloons.

Matthews is intent on educating legislators that certain balloons pose no harm to the environment.

"I live in the Pacific Northwest and we have legislation right now to try to prevent all sales of balloons," she said. "Legislators think all balloons are the same."

Laguna Beach, Calif., passed an ordinance on Feb. 21, 2023 prohibiting the sale, use and distribution of balloons, which city officials stated pose a safety hazard when released into the air.

"Some balloons biodegrade as fast as a maple leaf," Matthews said.

After the popping party, the balloon remnants will get bagged and then composted, recycled or reused into future art projects.

“We’ll get down to two or three bags, less than you’ll have at a normal party," Nyikos said. “I’m not sure where these ones are going, but there’s always an environmentally friendly disposal.”