Recently there was a 13y/o boy who passed away unexpectedly. He didn’t play soccer, but many of the kids on the team I coach knew him, including my son. Another player was his best friend.

Our first game is this Sunday, and it is the first time ever we are playing at our high school stadium.

We are doing a memorial in his honor before our game and releasing balloons. It will be be 40 degrees. We did a trial run today, using a tank that was air temp, and it worked. It was around 38 degrees. Balloon was filled, then released about a half hour later, and went out of sight.

We plan on filling the balloons outside, shortly before the memorial starts.

Any other factors to consider? Obviously, it will be a disaster if it doesn’t work.

I am assuming you are using helium to fill the balloons, correct?

Helium ballons will work (float away) unless the temperature is being measured in Kelvin...in that case no one would be outside anyway!

Go for it. Bless you for the effort.

Yes, we are using helium.

Luckily the Mom in charge bought a tank, versus buying pre-filled balloons from a store. Keeping the temp constant put my mind at ease.

We will do a test run at the stadium before the memorial as well.

Fingers crossed...

I would think that a heads up phone call to the local air traffic control station might be appreciated. They can notem the event and steer traffic clear.

"99 Red Balloons"

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:
Any other factors to consider? Obviously, it will be a disaster if it doesn’t work.

Whether or not it's legal or is otherwise regulated?

I wish that there were other acceptable ways to accomplish what you wish besides sending up balloons, I am tired of finding them even in the deepest woods here in Maine.

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:
Any other factors to consider? Obviously, it will be a disaster if it doesn’t work.

Garbage that somebody else has to pick-up.

quote:

Originally posted by provident:
I wish that there were other acceptable ways to accomplish what you wish besides sending up balloons, I am tired of finding them even in the deepest woods here in Maine.

I'm with you. Every park around here in the Summer, there's usually a handful of balloons caught up in the trees or, a couple of branches with deflated balloons dangling around.

Perhaps, buying some doves or, butterflies and have a couple of the closest kids release them at the right time. Just trying to provide some alternatives, realize you're trying to put together a nice ceremony and a remembrance for the kids. 13 y/o, that's tough...

quote:

Originally posted by provident:
I wish that there were other acceptable ways to accomplish what you wish besides sending up balloons, I am tired of finding them even in the deepest woods here in Maine.

You mean they don’t go into outer space?

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:
Any other factors to consider? Obviously, it will be a disaster if it doesn’t work.

Garbage that somebody else has to pick-up.

quote:

Originally posted by provident:
I wish that there were other acceptable ways to accomplish what you wish besides sending up balloons, I am tired of finding them even in the deepest woods here in Maine.

I'm with you. Every park around here in the Summer, there's usually a handful of balloons caught up in the trees or, a couple of branches with deflated balloons dangling around.

Perhaps, buying some doves or, butterflies and have a couple of the closest kids release them at the right time. Just trying to provide some alternatives, realize you're trying to put together a nice ceremony and a remembrance for the kids. 13 y/o, that's tough...

What about those Japanese lanterns? Are they biodegradable? Our downtown released a bunch and I didn't hear any negatives, that I'm aware.

quote:

Originally posted by provident:
I wish that there were other acceptable ways to accomplish what you wish besides sending up balloons, I am tired of finding them even in the deepest woods here in Maine.

I find them in the woods, in my hayfields and out in the Ocean. Sea turtles choke to death on them.

Some people are pigs.

how bad can it be?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6mbMxRLjcY