How Balloonski Turns Giant Balloon Drops Into an ILLFest Tradition

Aeisha
Jun 19
3 min read

As thousands of ravers packed together beneath the stage during GRiZ’s highly anticipated return set, a giant saxophone suddenly appeared overhead. Strangers pointed toward the sky. Hands shot into the air in an attempt to catch it. For a few moments, the entire crowd shared the same sense of wonder.

Behind that moment was Balloonski, the artist responsible for many of ILLFest’s most beloved balloon creations.

What makes Balloonski’s work stand out is the way they become part of the festival experience, not just the scale of the pieces themselves. Instead of existing behind robes and barriers, his creations fly overhead, passed from person to person, and celebrated collectively by thousands at once.

During ILLFest, we had the opportunity to sit down with Balloonski to discuss how he first became involved with the festival, the inspiration behind his iconic balloon drops, and how his work enhances the festival experience by engaging thousands in a collective moment of wonder.

EDM Texas: For people seeing your work for the first time, how would you describe what you do?

Balloonski: I've been creating giant balloon sculptures that float over the crowd so everybody gets to experience them together since 2011. That’s what I mainly do here at ILLFest and at festivals in general. I can make pretty much anything out of balloons, but these large crowd pieces are what I’m really known for here.

EDM Texas: What’s it like seeing thousands of people interact with something you created?

Balloonski: Honestly, it’s overwhelming every single time. Especially when we’re able to do the really big drops.

EDM Texas: The giant saxophone during GRiZ and the massive “X” during Excision were incredible. Can you share how you start developing ideas like that and what makes them special?

Balloonski: I always try to build ideas around each artist. For GRiZ, obviously, the saxophone is iconic to him, so that idea made perfect sense. I actually spoke with one of his close creative collaborators beforehand, and everyone loved the idea. We didn’t fully plan it with GRiZ, though, so it still ended up being kind of a surprise moment for him, too.

EDM Texas: What’s your favorite reaction to see from the crowd during your balloon drops?

Balloonski: Seeing balloons turn adults into kids sparks joy and wonder, even if it’s only for a few seconds. It reminds the crowd of simple moments of happiness they cherish. I love that!

EDM Texas: Is there a dream balloon creation you’d still love to bring to ILLFest one day?

Balloonski: I’d love to do a giant Texas-shaped balloon piece inspired by the ILLFest logo. It would be very detailed and challenging, but it would look amazing. Maybe next year…

EDM Texas: What’s your favorite part about working behind the scenes at a festival like ILLFest?

Balloonski: Honestly, everybody here feels like family. We’ve all been working together for years, and there’s so much love and support throughout the entire team. From the artists to the production crew, everyone genuinely wants to help one another and create something special together.

EDM Texas: What’s something you wish people understood more about the work and effort behind these giant balloon creations?

Balloonski: These pieces take a long time to make, and once we drop them into the crowd, they only last as long as they last. Sometimes that’s a minute, sometimes it’s the whole night. But we put so much time and energy into them, and we’re just grateful that people enjoy them and connect with them the way they do.

At a festival built around creativity, immersion, and community, Balloonski’s work is a key part of ILLFest's traditions, creating memorable moments such as a giant saxophone floating across a sea of smiling faces or an illuminated “X” drifting above the crowd. As ILLFest continues to grow each year, so do the balloon drops, which have become one of the festival's most recognizable symbols. For Balloonski, that’s the real purpose behind every creation-fostering shared experiences that attendees will never forget.