The Shake Up

Gasp in awe at the magnificent beauty of the rain forest. Laugh at the monkeys and sloths swaying in the trees. Stand under the giant crystal blue waterfall, but watch out for the alligator. You can pet the cheetah, just be careful not to pop him.

16 years ago, Johnna and John Perry fell in love. Not only with each other, but with balloon art. From there they were married and Balloon Masters was born. The exhibit has been stunning audiences in several different venues for years. Thousands of visitors file past the exhibit in the North Lobby at the Fair every day. Many stop in amazement, and watch the creation as it is handcrafted, balloon by balloon. Johnna and John interact with customers while twisting and turning regular plastic balloons into artistic 3-D creatures and landscapes. Both Johnna and John agreed that creating balloon art was rewarding for them, because everyone can relate to the element.

“Not everyone has worked with copper or bronze, they don’t know how it feels or works,” said Johnna Perry. “Everyone has touched a balloon, they have that association with them.”

Balloon Masters has become a mainstay at the Fair for the past five years. And with the continuity comes the regulars. Like any good coffee shop or small town delicatessen, Joanna sees some of the same faces year after year. One family even uses a picture of themselves in front of the exhibit for their Christmas card every year.

“We could be doing something at an art museum or studio,” she said. “But we love to be out here interacting with the people. That is the best part for us.”

While they humbly said the Kentucky State Fair is one of their favorite destinations, the couple has traveled the country, and the globe sharing their talents. For each different exhibit, a new theme is chosen and researched before a plan is drawn. No theme is used twice, and no part of any exhibit is ever re-used. When they begin again, they begin from scratch.

The backdrop of the exhibit is a carefully constructed grid including a numbered code. The balloons for the backdrop are blown up and put in place in a particular sequence. On the first day of the Fair, Johnna said their exhibit had already used around 3,000 balloons.

Each day at 12:30 p.m. John and Johnna have a Q&A session and interactive lesson with visitors.

“By the end of the Fair we will have taught 2,000 people how to make a balloon dog,” said Johnna. “There will be an overflow of balloon dogs in Kentucky!”

Everyday, more and more creatures are added. Currently, the exhibit showcases brilliantly colored trees, a flowing waterfall, an alligator, cheetah, sloth, monkey and a toucan. Johnna and John are in the process of adding insects, tree frogs and other appropriate rain forest natives.

So make sure to stop by the North Lobby to see Louisville’s only balloon rain forest! We think? Also, check out the Balloon Masters Facebook and Twitter (@UpUpandawayblns).