Brighton Balloon Maker Prepares to Re-Claim World Record

Just one month shy of nine years, Brighton balloon sculptor, Tim Thurmond, held the world record for the most balloons ever blown up by mouth and made into animals in a 24-hour period- until he helped a competitor beat his record.

“He’s a guy who called me up and asked for my help,” Thurmond said. “And I gave him my help so he could beat me with the knowledge that I would be taking it back shortly after.”

The attempt to re-claim his coveted world record title will take place this July in downtown Brighton during the Taste of Brighton event.

The master balloon sculptor will have 24 hours starting at 5 p.m. on July 12 to 5 p.m. on July 13, with a goal to create between 6,700 and 7,000 balloon animals, a number Thurmond hopes will secure his record for many more years.

“He (current record holder) beat me by 55 balloons, so I’d like to beat him by 550,” Thurmond said with a grin.

Bringing to life the imagination of children through balloons, Thurmond has been sculpting everything from tiny unicorns to 15-foot dragons for more than 23 years.

It’s a talent he says comes from using his own creativity to show what he sees in his mind, transforming that into random colorful balloons tied together to form airplanes, flowers or even 10-eyed turtles.

Click here to watch a short video clip.

During Thurmond’s world record attempt, however, each balloon animal will take an average of 8– 14 seconds.

“When I get into a rhythm and a flow, I’ll probably be making one balloon every 8 seconds,” he said. “That includes blowing up and making them.”

With a countdown clock ticking away the hours on his website until the record attempt in July, Thurmond has plans to set up camp at Oh My Lolli! where people will be able to come and support his effort.

To see more of Thurmond’s designs, visit his website at TheBalloonSculptor.com