Balloon release - cheap net or viable alternatives?

Strapped

Hi everyone

I'm organising a balloon release (no environmental discussion please) and wondered whether anyone knew where I could get a cheap release net, or bag, or any DIY alternatives? We're talking 200 x 10" balloons. Thanks. The cheapest I've found is via Peeks but I wondered whether there was a way of doing it without buying a net as the budget is tight? I wondered about using a tent flysheet - would this work do you think

Wings_of_Ambition

If you want to be extra-extra-MSE, why not ask five friends if you could borrow their bedsheets. All you'd really need is a way of tethering them to the ground, a couple of volunteers to release them at the launch, and a day or so to wash them afterwards.

Strapped

Thanks, that's not a bad idea. Slightly concerned about dogs and / or children charging across the stored balloons and popping them, or about it raining on the day and the labels getting soggy/heavy and the balloons not flying! Still thinking about using my tent flysheet or the inner tent if it's dry (as it's closed on 3 sides) to store the balloons in, but your idea has just reminded me that we have an extra large table cloth from hubby's banqueting days and that might do the trick.

nasus72

Hi
I am also organising one (for the first time) I have read that a duvet cover will do the trick. I think this is what we are going to use as we also want to keep costs down.
We are buying 'proper' race tickets but then very much DIY...
Hope this helps.

Strapped

nasus72 wrote: »

Hi
I am also organising one (for the first time) I have read that a duvet cover will do the trick. I think this is what we are going to use as we also want to keep costs down.
We are buying 'proper' race tickets but then very much DIY...
Hope this helps.

D'oh - why didn't I think of that lol. Thank you. So simple yet so...obvious. How many balloons do you think that a king size duvet cover would hold?

danlojo

You could try your local TA Army place or barracks as they have large camouflage nets they may allow you to lend. They should have green, sand and white ones.

Worth a try?

AnxiousMum

When we have done these at the kids primary schools, we just release the balloon as it is purchased. That way, you don't have the problem of hundredsd going up at the same time - the airport authority doesn't like hundreds being released in one go!

nasus72

Strapped wrote: »

D'oh - why didn't I think of that lol. Thank you. So simple yet so...obvious. How many balloons do you think that a king size duvet cover would hold?

Not sure - haven't got that far down the thought process yet...! We plan to take a couple/three

Re local airports not liking lots to go up at once - I hace checked the legal side of this and youhace to be releasing alot (from memory over 1000 I think) before you have to let Aviation Authority know.
We want to go for a big release at the end of our summer fete - good photo opportunity for the press and something to make people stay til the end and spend more....:T

Strapped

AnxiousMum wrote: »

When we have done these at the kids primary schools, we just release the balloon as it is purchased. That way, you don't have the problem of hundredsd going up at the same time - the airport authority doesn't like hundreds being released in one go!

Bit tricky when you sell most of 'em a week beforehand thou. And also you don't get the spectacle of a mass release.

BTW, I used to work at the CAA and can confirm they ain't bothered by 200 balloons.

me_eevie

Hi

I did a balloon drop for my son's 21st and the net I used was made from a bed canopy bought for about £2.99 at B&M bargains.

There was loads of net fabric in the canopy and I was able to make huge "bag" out of it to hold the balloons.

It worked very well :j

babyicebean

I did have a link for an online ballon release - can post that or pm it to people if allowed.