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Giant Balloon Parades Inc.'s "Mass Grave of Half-Inflated Characters Holiday Parade 1973"


https://www.ohio.com/akron/lifestyle/local-history-misfit-balloons-rained-on-akron-s-holiday-parade-in-1973

"Event contractor Giant Balloon Parades Inc. of Levit­town, Pa., arrived 90 minutes late for setup and then couldn’t get its equipment to work, falling behind another 2½ hours. With the parade scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., the staging area at Grant Street and East Buchtel Avenue looked like a mass grave of half-inflated characters."

"As the parade kicked off, it became apparent that something was wrong. Sagging, drooping balloons, pulled by volunteers from Big Brothers of Akron and the Akron Jaycees, rolled through the snow-slickened streets. A 65-foot tiger, truly impressive, was one of the few fully inflated characters. Other balloons lolled their heads like they were nodding off."

"As the parade moved along South Main Street, families walked beneath movie marquees at the Astor, Strand and Euphorium -- adult theaters whose cine­matic offerings included Cry of Ecstasy, My Secretary and He and She."

"And then another obscenity arrived. Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas. The most frightening Santa Claus in balloon history turned the corner. About three stories tall, the inflatable elf floated above the street while volunteers gripped tethers. The bloated red body -- the one balloon that was overinflated -- looked like it might explode at any time. Santa’s frozen face carried an expression of agitation -- probably because his scraggly beard was painted on his chest instead of being attached to his chin. The balloon was too tall to fit under utility wires on Main Street, so handlers had to lower it again and again, forcing Santa to grovel repeatedly in the gutter. It’s amazing that children didn’t scatter in terror."

Oh m'god LOL. Does ANYONE have footage of this? We need to cut it into a sequel!

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