Duluth Taking Off With Hot Air Balloon Project

Colorful hot air balloons painted by the community will decorate Main Street Duluth in mid-September to celebrate the influx of new businesses downtown.

The Duluth Downtown Development Authority at its July 26 meeting approved a $500 loan to DDA Secretary Shelly Howard to purchase the balloon forms and cover other expenses. The loan will be repaid with funds from individuals and businesses who purchase the forms to decorate and display. The promotion is similar to previous decorated dogs and violins projects in the city.

“Seven new business are open,” Howard said. “It’s a cause for celebration.” The theme for the project will be “Historic Duluth is Taking Off.” On Saturday, Sept. 17, she also said, a real hot air balloon will be tethered on the Town Green and offer rides. 

The DDA created an Event Community Volunteer League as requested by Howard that will sponsor four seasonal events a year including city beautification days.

Howard also requested funds for planters that merchants plan to fill with flowers to randomly place around downtown. The merchants have promised to regularly water the plants, she said. The authority asked Howard to bring cost estimates to the August meeting.