Happy Birthday, Shannon!

Students and their balloons as they march to the west side field of the Shannon Middle School to launch their notes.

Eastland Middle School students in Shannon celebrated the “birthday” of the Village of Shannon, founded Sept. 28, 1860, in a different way. With 270 “Happy Birthday Shannon” balloons left over from the Sesquicentennial Celebration during their Labor Day Homecoming Festival, the students launched the balloons with cards attached that included their names and a note.

Village President Bonnie Faust, also a teacher at the school, said the kids had a great time, and they are anxious to see how far they fly.

Just in . . .

The “first response” from the balloon launch came remarkably fast. The student’s card that was returned was from EMS 4th grader Hannah Witt. Here is the response note:

Dear Hannah,

I found this card while harvesting Soybeans this evening about 7:00 p.m. on the 28th of September. I live near Brimfield, IL just 3/4 mile south of exit 75 on Interstate 74, half way between Peoria and Galesburg.

. . . Found out that the Balloon went 111 miles in that short time and the wind was very light today. I hope you win a prize for your Balloon going the farthest.

Dale Martin

Brimfield, IL

Considering the balloons were launched at approx. 3:15 that same day - Tuesday, Sept. 28 - it is amazing that it went 111 miles in less than 4 hours. That’s 27 mph, a good clip for a balloon!

Below is an exclusive video of this memorable event.

(PA photos & video/Tom Kocal)

 

(L to R) Tyler Metz, Elijah Dertz, and Lane Christians, 3rd graders, wait in line for help attaching their notes to their balloons before the Village of Shannon birthday send-off. Elijah said he hopes his balloon goes all the way to Russia! (PA story & photos/Tom Kocal)