What began as a charitable spectacle turned into one of the greatest fiascos in publicity history when Cleveland released nearly 1.5 million helium balloons on September 27, 1986, in a world record attempt for United Way. Bad weather caused the balloons to descend prematurely, blanketing streets, waterways, and even Lake Erie, disrupting traffic, halting airport operations, and tragically hindering a Coast Guard search for two missing fishermen who later drowned. The aftermath brought lawsuits,