What's Up Wednesday May 15, 2024, #120

This week on What's Up Wednesday, more pins and patches hit the shelves and just 2 weeks remain in our Birthday/Clearance sale.

As we've been reporting for a few weeks now, we're in full production mode on most of our 2024 products and today we have the really popular number pins available. Back in 1991, for the 20th Balloon Fiesta, we start producing a pin depicting the number of that year's event. That means that as of today, with the release of the number 52 pins, we've been doing this number concept for 32 years! That's a lot of pins and we're talking just this design. You can view the entire collection on the Balloon Fiesta Web page. Click on Merchandise, then Collector's Corner

This year the 52 comes in 3 color schemes, white, turquoise and the deep jewel tones that match the Embrace The Sky theme. Each pin is numbered and only 3000 of each color has been produced. There is no option for us to order more once the 3000 are sold. You also can't pick the number of the pin. Remember too, that this inventory has already been divided up between our online, our gift shop and our onfield merchandise tents for the event. That means less than 3000 of each are available today online and in the gift shop. Bottom line, if you want one of these pins, order today!

Last week we shared with you the round event 4" patch. Today we have the large 9" event patch and a few more of the 4" patches. The 9 inch patch is the same design you'll see on the jackets given to our Sponsors,  Pilots, Officials, and Navigators. It's the full Embrace the Sky design which will also be on the back of the jackets we will have available for purchase later this year. We also have 4 inch square patches for Chase Crew, Mass Ascension and Special Shapes. Each of these patches has a unique design focused on the specific activity.  Jump start your patch collection today by picking up the set.

With all the new merchandise starting to arrive, you may be thinking about planning a trip to the gift shop to shop in person. For those of you thinking about that, there are a couple of closings you should be aware of. The Gift Shop and Balloon Fiesta offices will be closed Thursday, May 23 for staff training and Monday May 27, for Memorial Day. Our online store remains open 24/7. Orders placed on those days will be processed the following day.

Finally, only 2 weeks remain in our blowout/clearance/birthday sale. Up to 75% off most 2024 merchandise and a free gift with any order totaling $10 or more. Sizes and other options are becoming more limited, so if you haven't already checked out the On Sale! Collection, you're running out of time!

Next week, more pins make their debut in the store. As always, thanks for your support of Balloon Fiesta and Balloon Fiesta Stuff.