The Doomed Cleveland Balloonfest of '86

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In September 1986, the city of Cleveland attempted to set a special record: the simultaneous launch of 1.5 million balloons. But fate intervened, and the result was both crazier and more tragic than anyone could have imagined. Read more: https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/562556/cleveland-balloonfest/
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“Balloonfest” is directed by Nathan Truesdell. It is part of The Atlantic Selects, an online showcase of short documentaries from independent creators, curated by The Atlantic.

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44 Comments

  1. This is the most ridiculous idea. Are the people going to clean up the spent balloons that will end up in oceans trees and grass lands? STOP this ridiculous idea from EVER HAPPENING AGAIN,!! And shame to all who participated in it!

  2. I question the validity of the fisherman story as all news stories as the media has been proven to have lied endlessly. If I was a person who had capsized in the ocean and a million helium balloons came floating down, I would be filled with hope as I would stay afloat by holding onto them.
    I would not doubt that the controllers of this circus we call Earth mocked us with this event as they consider us all to be Clowns.

  3. Cleveland sucks…but I got to stay at charlie butts home for a while, a senator and it's a GREAT mid sized city…not a large city of that's what your looking for, go to NYC

  4. Tbh Cleveland has never been a good city to live in.back when the Cuyahoga River caught on fire and the smog of the 70s, Cleveland should know not to dumb thing's like this

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