balloon Larger than life Artistry Lake Geneva to host Big Balloon Build in March

by Jason Arndt STAFF WRITER

Sara Meyer, owner of Lake Geneva-based Wisconsin Balloon Decor, always wanted to host The Big Balloon Build since she first participated in the larger than life event in Indiana.

Sara Meyer

She recalled her initial exposure to the event, where dozens of artists from around the world filled a Vincennes venue, which she said she found impressive.

“It was the largest installation I’ve ever been a part of, which was incredible,” Meyer said. “But when I saw the impact the event was having on the community, I knew I wanted to bring it home.”

That event raised $120,000 for local charities.

Considering the tremendous impact and artists’ displays, Meyer applied to host the event in Lake Geneva.

If you go…

WHAT: The Big Balloon Build

WHEN: March 23 to 26

WHERE: Covenant Harbor, 1724 W. Main St. (Hwy. 50) Lake Geneva

TICKETS: www.wisconsin balloondecor.com

After the application process, The Big Balloon selected Meyer and Wisconsin Balloon Decor to serve as host for the 2023 event, which will be held at Covenant Harbor March 23 to 26.

All proceeds from the event will benefit local nonprofit groups Inspiration Ministries and Inspired Coffee, both of which serve people with disabilities. Kunes RV will serve as signature sponsor, which played a critical role in helping Lake Geneva host The Big Balloon Build – the third time it’s being held in the United States.

“After the location is selected, it’s up to the host to find a venue, local charity and sponsor to support the event,” Meyer said. “So, without Inspiration Ministries as the charity, RVPanda and Kunes RV as our presenting sponsor, and Covenant Harbor as our location, the event wouldn’t be possible.”

Tickets went on sale last month for the build, which will include a breakfast, comedy show and an invite-only balloon popping party.

The comedy show slated for 7 p.m. on March 24 will feature award-winning Kerri Pomarolli, who has worked with other comedians including Jay Leno, Jim Carey and Jerry Lewis.

“She’s been featured on the Tonight Show 29 times and has appeared on nearly every major network,” a news release states.

Schedule of events

Friday, March 24

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Local school children in grades 1 through 4 will visit

• 7 p.m. – A night of “In-Tents” laughter with award-winning comedian Kerri Pomarolli

Saturday, March 25

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. – The Ultimate Balloon Experience (Includes a buffet breakfast and a visit with the Easter Bunny in his burrow)

• 1 to 8 p.m. – General admission to the build (guests are asked to bring a donation of non-perishable food for the Fill the RV Food Drive to benefit local food pantries)

Sunday, March 26

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. – The Ultimate Balloon Experience (Includes a buffet breakfast and a visit with the Easter Bunny in his burrow)

• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – General admission to the build (guests are asked to bring a donation of nonperishable food for the Fill the RV Food Drive to benefit local food pantries)

• 6 p.m. – Invite-only balloon popping party

Exploring the outdoors

Meyer said the event will bring in 75 balloon artists from all the over the world and promises to transform the Covenant Harbor Jackson Family Center gym into a magical experience designed with more than 100,000 balloons.

This year’s theme – “Inspired by the Great Outdoors” – will feature plenty of larger-than-life balloon arrangements and artists will use expressions from nature, according to Meyer.

“We are creating 20-foot tall trees, giants butterflies overhead, waterfalls and campgrounds, animal families, and of course, a burrow for photos with our Easter Bunny,” she said. “With 75 artists working eight hours a day for four days, that’s 2,400 man-hours from some of the most talented artists in the world. The result will be unimaginable.”

Other features planned include a lifesized RV, hiking paths and campsites.

Meyer said while people will experience the outdoors, the best part of the event is that it’s global.

She contaced artists friends and peers in the industry all of whom own and operate their own businesses.

“The best part of working with balloon artists is that they are all very creative. So the skill and talent will be mind-blowing, but so is the story telling. It will feel like you are walking through a child’s storybook,” Meyer explained.

Sara Meyer and her company, along with Kunes RV as signature sponsor, will bring The Big Balloon Build to Covenant Harbor in Lake Geneva March 24-26. The event will allow visitors to stroll through colorful displays created with thousands of balloons. Proceeds will benefit local nonprofit groups Inspiration Ministries and Inspired Coffee, both of which serve people with disabilities.

The artists will complete the build on March 23 and turn the Covenant Harbor gymnasium into a “woodland wonderland” for visitors attending the event.

“The builders come for the experience and out of generosity,” Meyer said. “I will absolutely be traveling to future builds around the country to pay it forward.”

Community collaboration

The Big Balloon Build took collaboration, including support from sponsors, as well as promotion from Visit Lake Geneva.

Receiving support from sponsors boiled down to reaching out to both businesses, Meyer said.

“They saw the vision immediately and wanted to be involved. It was a total blessing because without them we probably wouldn’t have been selected,” Meyer said. “Not only were they excited about the balloons, but the idea that the entire event gives back to the community. They are also sponsoring the Friday school visits so hundreds of children in Walworth County will get to be the first to enjoy the build.”

Once approved as the location, Visit Lake Geneva stepped in and helped promote and support The Big Balloon Build, Meyer said.

Additionally, as part of serving as hosts, Meyer and Wisconsin Balloon Decor selected Inspiration Ministries and Inspire Coffee as the lead beneficiaries of the event. Meyer, of Lake Geneva, said she chose those two nonprofits because both organizations have a mission to help adults with disabilities meet their objectives. Inspiration Ministries, according to a news release, is a place where residents can grow, work, mature in their faith, and lead productive joy-filled lives.

“We’ve enriched the lives of adults with disabilities who call Inspration Ministries home for more than 70 years,” the news release stated. “We believe in opening a world of possibilities for people with disabilities.”

Inspired Coffee is a neighborhood coffee shop in downtown Lake Geneva that employs people with disabilities who are trained and coached with a goal of being placed into a fully integrated work setting.

“The Big Balloon Build is 100% dedicated to the charity and it’s the most important component. Without the proceeds going to a good cause, I don’t think we would have the community or artist support that we are seeing,” Meyer said. “When people get to enjoy what they are doing and give to charity, it’s a really powerful combination.”