Weld County foster care to attend Big Balloon Build Colorado

Published on July 17, 2023

Weld County’s Foster Care team will be present at the Big Balloon Build installation in Greeley on Saturday, July 22, to help visitors learn more about the foster care process and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children. The team will have an informational booth open from noon – 4:00 p.m. during “STEAM Day” (science, technology, engineering, art and math), an afternoon in which entry to the event is free and touring the balloon installation is a small additional fee.

In addition to the installation and vendor booths, a Balloon Fashion Show will take place during the “Gala-xy Experience” on the evening of Friday, July 21, with Weld County Department of Human Services (DHS) director, Jamie Ulrich, participating as one of the models.

“I’m honored to be invited to participate in the fashion show and excited the Big Balloon Build will take place in Greeley,” Ulrich said. “This is a one-of-a-kind event supporting a strong partnership with the [DHS]. Life Stories provides invaluable services to children and families in Weld County, and we’re thrilled to participate in this unique event.” The “Gala-xy Experience” also boasts a plethora of other entertainment, in addition to the fashion show, for attendees who wish to enhance their evening, including dinner, live music, and more.

According to the description on LifeStoriesWeld.org, the Big Balloon Build “is a magical immersive wonderland of balloons.” The event is hosted by Balloon Art by Merry Makers, and all funds received go to Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy, a local charity “which gives a voice to children who have been abused or neglected in Weld County.” Over 75 balloon artists from across the world are expected to volunteer their time and travel expenses to putting on this event, which this year is “space-themed.”

For anyone unable to make the event who would like to learn more about foster care, visit https://www.weld.gov/Government/Departments/Human-Services/Foster-Care. To learn more about Big Balloon Build, visit https://www.lifestoriesweld.org/big-balloon-build.