What's Up Wednesday June 11, 2025 #177

What's Up Wednesday June 11, 2025 #177

Ken Tuley ·

This week on What's Up Wednesday, more "pins", new spinners and a new panoramic puzzle.

For a number of weeks now, we've been releasing the official pins for 2025. Today, we're releasing the extra "pins". The Walking Stick pin and the Medallion. The walking stick pin has proven extremely popular since it was first introduced many years ago. Slightly curved, with mounting screws, and pre-drilled holes, this 6 sized "pin" features balloons flying in a painted sky. 

The medallion features a beautiful color image of a lot of balloons in the morning sky. The flip side is the number 53. These medallions come in a plastic case and are very collectable. Weighing in at a full ounce these medallions feel especially solid in your hand. These keepsakes serve as tangible reminders of the wonder of flight, cherished by pilots and fans alike. 

Did you know that coins, tokens, and medalilions  have a long-standing connection to the world of ballooning, commemorating everything from historic first flights to modern-day festivals. Since the Montgolfier brothers’ pioneering ascent in 1783, ballooning milestones have been honored in metal—on coins, medallions, and challenge tokens issued by mints, clubs, and events around the globe. Even Balloon Fiesta minted gold and silver coins from 1982-2005. You can check them out in our Collector's Corner on the website. 

For a few years we have carried wind spinners in our shop and online. This year, we're upping our game with five special, created especially for Balloon Fiesta varieties. One features a different balloon on each panel providing a carousal effect as it spins in the breeze. Another features a winter theme, with snowflakes and Santa on the panels. There are two that feature actual balloon designs. One is purple with horizontal bars, the other is more of a multi-color checkerboard pattern. And since they are custom to Balloon Fiesta, we had to create one that looks like the Fiesta Balloon in its bright yellow and logo design. But here's the best news. By creating our own design, we were able to lower the price and keep the quality up. These spinners are just $20. Collect the set to brighten your yard.

Speaking of creating our own products, here's another one. It's a new 1000 piece panaramic puzzle. It's an aerial view of a Balloon Fiesta Mass Ascension. Taken by Official Photographer and Photo Team Lead Don Henderson in 2023, it's one of those puzzles, that when you complete it, you'll want to frame it and make it a permanent work of art.

Finally an Insider Info tidbit. 2025 merchandise is arriving almost every day. Our seasonal staff is back on board and preparing all those items for you. While we'll feature many of tthe items here on What's Up Wednesday, we can't fit them all in. Be sure to check the New Arrivals category at least once a week to be a Balloon Stuff Crew Chief.

Thanks for your support of Balloon Fiesta and Balloon Fiesta Stuff.