Manor History

Balloon Manor 2004

The first Balloon Manor took place in an empty storefront in Southtown Plaza in Henrietta, NY. This labor of love told the Manor creation story: once upon a time, the Manor was a real castle, but due to a curse, the castle and its creatures became air-filled shells of their former selves. Manor visitors were asked to help lift the curse. The Manor’s jolly Grim Reaper appeared for the first time, and the project received a feature story on CNN Headline News. Read the inspiration behind the first Balloon Manor.

Balloon Manor 2006: Return to Balloon Manor

There was no Manor in 2005, but the story picks up where it left off in 2006 with Return to Balloon Manor. The first Manor’s curse was successfully lifted and the monsters were allowed to leave. They’d had so much fun, however, that they chose to move back and show off the Manor to the rest of the world by turning it into a Dead & Breakfast. The Manor moved to one wing of Irondequoit’s Medley Centre, and the Scary-go-Round made its first appearance. The project received an Associated Press story that was picked up internationally, as well as a national PBS story and more coverage on CNN Headline News.

Balloon Manor 2007: Elastic Park, the World’s First Balloon Scream Park

The Dead & Breakfast was so popular that there wasn’t enough room for guests, so the monsters decided to build a whole theme park and modeled it after Jurassic Park. Dinosaurs and other incredible creatures roamed one wing of Medley Centre. Composer and Sound Designer Ward Hartenstein first became part of the Manor team, creating soundscapes for each room.

Balloon Manor 2008: SCARE U, Ghoul School

The Manor moved to a wing at the Mall at Greece Ridge, and the monsters decided to turn it into a fright academy, SCARE U, complete with classes in Anti-Social Studies, Under-World History and more. Larry Moss was a guest on the Martha Stewart Show, and he taught the famously-handy host how to make a balloon craft while they stood in a replicated Manor. The story was picked up by TV news and websites around the country.