WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- Colorful balloon art is popping up around southeastern Wisconsin; the Mylar and ribbon creations help families celebrate socially distant milestones, from birthdays to graduations to new babies and even weddings.
The balloons are the creations of husband and wife team James and Tracy Jester. The couple are entertainers and run their own business making balloon animals, doing face painting, magic and other entertainment for birthday parties, company picnics, church socials and other special events.
Like thousands of small businesses across Wisconsin, the Jesters had to dramatically change their operations because of coronavirus. The couple say they lost nearly every single client starting in March due to public health orders, and bookings for the upcoming summer and fall are few and far between. The Jesters got creative and started selling "party poles" to continue to spread joy for birthdays, graduations and other milestones.
"The morale of these children, they are missing out. They don't get the party so at least we can still do something to make these kids happy," says James Jester.
"We miss on the smiles, like we drop these off and we're like 'I wonder if they like them' and we miss seeing the kids' faces. It is hard not to see the smiles we used to bring. Fifteen years of doing this and we don't see kids anymore and its hard."
James adds, it certainly helps having the last name Jester as a reminder to stop and have a little fun. You can view more of their balloon art here.