Essence Nesbit, owner of Designs by Essence was selected from hundreds of Balloon Professional applicants to help create the USA’s very first Big Balloon Build. Sixty five (65) balloon artists from around the world traveled to the City of Vincennes, Indiana in April 2022 to create a massive candy themed wonderland using 125,000 balloons, with giant ice cream cones, colossal cotton candy clouds and larger than life sweets to inspire the children in the community.
After 3.5 days of building, the Big Balloon Build was gifted to United Way of Knox County to help them raise awareness and funds for over thirty charities that they service in the community. The United Way raised over $65,000 and this amount was matched by the Eli Lilly Foundation, bringing the total money raised from the Big Balloon Build to $130,000. In addition, The Big Balloon Build was open to the public for 1 day. Admission was a full bag of canned foods for the local food pantries. 14,300 POUNDS of food was collected and dispersed between the NINE local food banks. Mark Hill, Director of United Way of Knox County was very appreciative to Liz Romani of Valley Party Supply, Stuart Davies, the Creator and Director of the Big Balloon Build, Joe Gish of Wabash Food Supplies, and all the Balloon Professionals who came together to make this happen!