A parade balloon is not a tethered balloon that happens to move. It is a different operation, and the difference is people.
It needs handlers, not an anchor
A tethered balloon has one line to a fixed point. A parade balloon has several lines held by people walking, and they are controlling it continuously.
Plan on a handful of handlers for a modest balloon and more for anything large. They need briefing beforehand, not on the morning.
Fly it low
Parade height is nothing like advertising height. You are staying well under power lines, traffic signals, street trees and any overhead wiring along the route.
That means a shorter tether and more work for the handlers, because the balloon has less line to absorb a gust. Wind matters more in a parade, not less.
Walk the route first
Every parade balloon problem is on the route and is visible in advance: a low span of cable, an overhanging branch, a narrow turn, a bridge.
Walk it, look up the whole way, and note the pinch points. This is not optional and it is the single thing that separates smooth parades from incidents.
Size down from what you imagined
The televised parade balloons everybody pictures are enormous operations with dozens of trained handlers. A community parade is not that.
A 13-foot blimp or a 5.5 to 8-foot sphere is a realistic community parade balloon, handled by volunteers, and it looks excellent at street level.
Ask for a quote. Call 1-800-791-1445 or email sales@arizonaballoon.com and tell us the size and whether you want it printed.
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