In 1986, charity organization United Way of Cleveland organized a spectacular stunt for fundraising and publicity: an attempt to set a new world record for simultaneously released balloons.

On Public Square, a structure as large as a city block was erected and covered with a mesh net. Beneath that, 2,500 volunteers worked for hours filling balloons with helium, aiming to fill 2 million.

Out of concerns about incoming foul weather, they decided to stop at around 1.5 million balloons. At 1:50 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, the net was lifted off the structure by large balloons, unleashing the millions of smaller balloons.

The balloons erupted upward and wrapped around Terminal Tower in a spectacular display.