AIRIGAMI'S BALLOON MANOR 2015 NOW ON VIEW

AIRIGAMI'S BALLOON MANOR 2015 NOW ON VIEW
The Amazing Air-Filled Undersea Adventure fills Sibley atrium through March 8
FREE FAMILY FUN includes Fifties First Friday: Enchantment Under the Sea Dance
Five-story, 40,000-balloon sculpture goes out with a bang at its POPPING PARTY

Rochester, NY - Rochester's Larry Moss and Kelly Cheatle of AirigamiTM ("the fine art of folding air") officially opened their sixth Balloon Manor: The Amazing Air-Filled Undersea Adventure today. The five-story sculpture made from more than 40,000 balloons by an international crew of 75 in just four days now fills downtown Rochester's Sibley Building atrium (250 East Main St.)

"We're exhausted but very, very pleased with this year's Manor," said Moss at this morning's official "ribbon" (made from balloons, of course) cutting. "Now, we just want to share our efforts and delight as many people as possible with this gift to Rochester."

The City of Rochester was represented at this morning's event by Mayor Warren's Executive Staff Assistant Andy Rau and City Council members Michael Patterson and Elaine Spaull.

"Larry Moss and the Airigami team have once again charmed us with their amazing creativity, and the Sibley Building comes alive with excitement and delight at their newest creation," said East District Councilmember Elaine Spaull, who chairs the City's Arts and Culture Committee. "There is nothing like color and dynamic design to help us forget the cold outside and to celebrate art in our downtown center."

The tired-but-very-enthusiastic Manor crew also cheered on this morning's opening.

"Having followed the work of Larry Moss for years on the Internet, I decided to cross the pond to participate," said Millie Boon from the Netherlands. "I feel privileged to work on this superscale project."

Chrisie Pippin travelled all the way from Australia to be a part of the 2015 Manor crew. "My life will never be the same after this very special experience," she said.

Last year's Balloon Manor: The VERY Tall Tale of Jack and his Beanstalk had more than 13,000 visitors looking up from a garden to a castle and giant atop a beanstalk high in the clouds. This year's 50-foot-tall, underwater-themed installation takes them diving down into the briny deep to the world of Atlantis, complete with a pirate ship, a giant octopus, and a Mermaid Queen.

"The Sibley Building is undergoing an amazing transformation, making it the perfect home for Airigami's Balloon Manor," said Joseph Eddy, VP of WinnDevelopment, at the Manor's January press announcement. "WinnCompanies is proud to once again host this event, which brings delight and wonder to families and children of all ages. It's the same spirit that Sibley's experienced as a department store and we hope to recreate in the redeveloped Sibley Building."

Viewing Balloon Manor 2015 is free and open to the public. Hours are 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily through March 8th's Popping Party. Parking information is available at balloonmanor.com.

In addition, the Manor is hosting a free Fifties First Friday: Enchantment Under the Sea Dance on Friday, March 6 from 6 - 9 p.m. in Sibley atrium. With The Amazing Air-Filled Undersea Adventure as a background, Airigami will recreate the 1955 prom from the film, Back to the Future, with live rock-n-roll by Krypton 88, the Rochester Swing Dance Network dancers, and a vintage prom costume contest. Food vendors, balloon corsages, and souvenir photo opportunities will also be available. Visit balloonmanor.com for more information.

Finally, the Manor will go out with a bang on Sunday, March 8 from 3 - 6 p.m. with its popular Popping Party. In addition to balloon-popping fun, there will be refreshments (including popcorn and soda pop), hands-on balloon activities, and prize coupons hidden within balloons. One lucky winner will receive a grand prize Airigami fine art piece. Single tickets are $10, a family four-pack is $30, and a group 10-pack is $75; tickets are available at http://balloonmanor.com/popping-party-tickets/.

Balloon Manor 2015 is sponsored by Qualatex Balloons, The Sibley Building and WinnCompanies, Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown, WHEC TV, Kids Out and About.com, City Newspaper, Yelp, Continental Sales, and Badfish Consulting.

More about Airigami: Rochester artists and Airigami partners Larry Moss and Kelly Cheatle are world renowned for their incredible full-blown installations, whether it's a giant Acrocanthosaurus for the Virginia Museum of Natural History, the world's first piloted balloon sculpture (Fantastic Flying Octopus), or one of their many Balloon Manors. Airigami has earned a Guinness World's Record, along with AP, CNN Headline, PBS and other international and national news coverage. They've also made multiple appearances on The Martha Stewart Show, Good Morning America, the Today show, and at the White House.

Media please note: High-resolution images, time-lapse video and more about Balloon Manor are available to press at http://www.balloonmanor.com/press. Interviews and photo/footage opportunities can be cheerfully arranged.

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Sally Cohen
585-749-1795, @PR4Arts
sally@sallycohenpr.com
PR as creative as you are