Greeley artist brings Big Balloon Build for once-in-a-lifetime event
Allison Dunning, center, works to bring the Big Balloon Build to Greeley. Several ticket packages are available, including a general admission to see the build from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Courtesy photo.
By Dan England
Yes, Allison Dunning plans to build something at the Big Balloon Build. It’s almost a silly question.
“How could we have 25,000 balloons and not have a chance to play with them?” Dunning asked.
It’s silly to ask because Dunning has built her life around balloons. She makes balloon sculptures for events such as weddings and opportunities for hobnobbing. She also owns a store in downtown Greeley, Balloon Art by Merry Makers, although the vintage candy she sells along with balloon supplies may be more interesting. And she’s also the owner of Merry Makers, which paints faces at events such as the Arts Picnic and twists balloons into cute shapes and animals.
But she made her name at the Big Balloon Build. And she’s kind of a big deal among the worldwide balloon artist crowd. As if to prove it, she’s bringing the event to Greeley. Most of the big work is done — her garage has been full for several months — although even last week, she was constantly fielding calls, as it’s her job to make sure the 83 artists from around the world are fed, housed and layered against our wild temperature swings. She knows what a big job that is, given that she knows she herself can be persnickety.
There are several events open to the public starting Thursday, including a kickoff event and fashion show, breakfasts and a chance to see the Big Balloon Build. Courtesy photo.
“They are me, times 83,” Dunning said and sighed. “But the artists are donating their time. They need to be the stars. I hope they feel embraced when they come here.”
Local businesses are helping her with that, gifting them with goodies, and Aims Community College donated its auditorium space. Life Stories Child and Family Advocacy is doing a lot of organizing and, in return, will be the primary beneficiary. The nonprofit supports abused and neglected children, especially during the hard and sometimes cruel legal process.
Dunning devoted two years of her life to orchestrating the Big Balloon Build because she loves the event and wanted to share it with Greeley, but she also sees this as an opportunity to show her community the skill it takes to do what she does.
“When I tell people that I’m a balloon artist, they tend to respond with something like, ‘Oh, how cute,’” Dunning said. “This is a real industry. I have fought for so long for people to take me seriously. I’m proud of what I do. I want to show what can be done with balloons.”
A lot of the event is open to the public, with several ticket packages available, including a general admission to see the build from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Artists are already in town and start building Monday, and they’ll work three full days creating installations that fit the event’s galaxy theme. There’s a story that goes with it as well: Guests are travelers exploring strange worlds and looking for “lost stars,” which ties in with the 4,000 children assessed for abuse by Life Stories in Weld County last year.
“It will be so impactful,” Dunning said, “but we don’t want it to be sad. It will be uplifting.”
The artists must follow the theme, but it’s up to them how to achieve the event.
“I have no idea what the end result will be,” Dunning said.
There’s also a fashion show, with community leaders agreeing to appear in balloon clothing, such as dresses. The show gives artists another chance to show off their creative skills.
Dunning didn’t mind all the work it took to bring the event to Greeley.
“I love taking care of people and making people happy,” she said. “That’s what I do for a living.”
It should be fun, after all, to the point where Life Stories looks at the event as a way to give back to the community for funding its free social services in addition to a simple way to spread the word about them.
“We hope kids, families, grandparents and adults can all come out to one or more event,” said Gwen Schooley, director of Life Stories, “and enjoy the magic and wonder of creativity and balloons.”
Dunning also admits to looking forward to Sunday, when she can finally relax after two years of preparation.
“I can finally bask in the amazing thing we brought to Greeley,” Dunning said.
To go
There are several events open to the public starting Thursday, including a kickoff event and fashion show, breakfasts and a chance to see the build. Go to https://www.lifestoriesweld.org/big-balloon-build/ to see the events and buy tickets or stop by the Merry Makers downtown store at 924 8th Ave.
To learn more about Merry Makers, go to https://www.loc8nearme.com/colorado/greeley/balloon-art-by-merry-makers/7038474/.