I was scrolling through Instagram recently when one post in particular caught my eye. It was from the Hollywood Horror Museum and was a photo of a group of six hot air balloons. Two of the balloons were popular horror icons, Freddy Kruger from the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and Jason Vorhees from the Friday the 13th movies. Two others were Star Wars villains Darth Vader and Darth Maul. And the other two were as visually striking as the others, but I’m not sure anyone would consider the Insane Clown Posse horror. However, the caption read, “Horror Hot Air Balloon Festival in Colorado.”
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Say what? Was there such a thing? How in the heck had a horror hot air balloon festival missed my radar until now? That seemed like something I would’ve stumbled across, or someone would’ve told me about already.
I had to know more. If nothing else, it would be a perfect addition to the Paracons & Horror Fests listings. But that also might be something worth jaunting to, so I started digging, and here’s what I uncovered.
Horror Hot Air Balloon Festival Origins
To employ a bad pun, I hate to burst your bubble, but, despite how real the photographs appear, there is no horror hot air balloon festival in Oregon or Colorado. However, in researching if there was, I did come across some Halloween-themed hot air balloon festivals, which I’ve listed below.
But as far as seeing the works of art that Cabel Adams created? Which is exactly what they are, by the way, 3D virtual reality art. Nope. These balloons don’t fly in real life.
Which brings Pennywise to mind. He’d make a great horror hot air balloon too. “We all float up here…”
But I digress. Rik Mikals wrote about the balloons on 98.3 The Key and shared some of his interview with virtual reality sculptor Cabel Adams. That’s where the artist revealed these photos were part of a prank.
It all started when the city he lives in, Eugene, Oregon, recently hosted the world track championships. The city threw a lot of events for both the athletes and the visitors. In his opinion, “They were really fancy and made the locals feel left out…I decided to do a prank and get photos during the festivals and to add these hot air balloons.”
He also went on to say what else he hoped his prank would accomplish, “I felt it needed some juxtaposition, so I added the Insane Clown Posse and some well-known horror characters. I figured this would keep rent low and Californians from moving in.”
I fear if the balloons were real, his plan might backfire on him, though. There are so many horror lovers, and Eugene is such a lovely city, that it very well might entice more people to visit and then move there!
Real Halloween Hot Air Balloon Festivals
As I mentioned earlier, my digging revealed that there weren’t any Colorado or Oregon horror hot air balloon festivals where I may hope to see the balloons Adams created. But I did find two places hosting Halloween-themed hot air balloon festivals this October.
The Lehigh Valley Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival: October 14, Slatington, PA
Held at the Slatington Airport, this balloon festival will have both tethered and un-tethered hot air balloon rides, a laser light show at night, craft and food vendors, music, games, rides and more.
For more info, visit https://balloonfestpa.com/home.
Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival: October 28-29, Scottsdale, AZ
This festival is taking place at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over 20 hot air balloons will be on display, and each will be a designated trick-or-treat stop for kids! In addition to launching, there will also be tethered balloon rides, vendors, a costume contest, and a spooky trail.
For more info, visit https://azspooktacular.com.
Another Cabel Adams Creation: Hellraiser Park
If you’re disappointed that the horror hot air balloon festival isn’t real, you’ll really be bummed that there’s no Pinhead slide or Hellraiser Park and Urban Bird Observatory in Eugene, OR. But this is just another of the super clever and creative creations from the mind of Cabel Adams that I desperately wish was a reality. What about you?
Where to Find Cabel Adams and See His Work
See more of his amazing work by following him on Facebook or visiting his page on ArtStation.
https://www.facebook.com/cabeladams
https://www.artstation.com/cabeladams
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Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon? And if these horror balloons were real, which would you want to go up in? (“All” is an option!)
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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Well, darn about the hot air balloons being art instead of actual 3D balloons. I have been up in a hot air balloon. It was beautiful. HOWEVER, it was scary enough (not the height part, but the landing part) that I don’t want to do it again. Maybe Skellie would be brave enough to go up!
Massive bummer about it being an art prank. I’d SO go to a horror hot air balloon fest! I’m not sure I’d ever go up in one. It’s recently come to my attention I’m afraid of heights! I’m not afraid of flying though so maybe I’d do okay? But maybe it’d be more fun to send Smalls up and stay on the ground to film his adventure. lol Thanks for sharing your experience with hot air ballooning!
There is a Darth Vader balloon. I’ve shot drone footage of it. You can see it here: https://youtu.be/Zo0FBayGIrA?si=f2kvNXrfARQuWw0t
I was gonna ask if you’d taken that in Bristol, but nope. You were in Colorado Springs from your description. Cool! (I grew up in Denver.) Great music you put with it too, Trevor.