A balloon build helps local Ronald McDonald House. Museums hold 'Bootlegger's Bash.'

Kathy Borlik
·4 min read
More than 80 domestic and international balloon artists will gather for the Big Balloon Build from April 22 to 28, 2024, at the Northern Indiana Event Center in Elkhart to create a larger-than-life, fully immersive balloon carnival. Local Fun By the Yard owner Jennifer Nyikos will serve as the host, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana. The exhibit will be open to the public April 27 and 28.

Balloons and bootleggers. Now that’s an interesting combination. What we have here are two very different events with lots of personality. A balloon event for kids of all ages. Then there is an entertaining stroll back into history with flappers, the Charleston and all that jazz.

Balloons first. Right now, Jennifer Nyikos is in the middle of creating a massive balloon event in Elkhart at the RV Hall of Fame & Museum, Northern Indiana Event Center, 21565 Executive Parkway. “I’m going to be busy with transportation and food. This is going to be so big.”

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Jennifer is the local business owner of Fun By the Yard, a balloon décor service. She and 80 balloon artists from the U.S. and internationally will be constructing a larger-than-life balloon carnival. The artistry begins today as they work up to Thursday. It will be several days of hard work to construct the multifaceted event with more than 125,000 balloons. Once it is done, then they turn it over to a local charity.

Fun by the Yard owner Jennifer Nyikos recently participated in a Big Balloon Build in Vincennes, Ind., to create a Candy Land-themed display to raise money for United Way of Knox County.
Fun by the Yard owner Jennifer Nyikos recently participated in a Big Balloon Build in Vincennes, Ind., to create a Candy Land-themed display to raise money for United Way of Knox County.

The proceeds from this event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana.

Jennifer has been involved in a few other balloon builds and loved the community involvement. She worked two years to get one of the events secured for South Bend. When the plan was in the formative stages, Jennifer sat next to Kierstin Eifler, CEO of RMHC at a Rotary Club meeting. “I asked her if Ronald McDonald would like to be the charity,” Jennifer said.

Kierstin said absolutely to the offer: “To be the beneficiary of this event, it is quite exciting.”

There is a VIP night Thursday and a dinner gala from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Saturday is family day with carnival games and performers, food trucks and a petting zoo from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The conclusion is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The cost for general admission for Saturday and Sunday is $10 a person; children 5 and younger are free.

More than 80 domestic and international balloon artists will gather for the Big Balloon Build from April 22 to 28, 2024, at the Northern Indiana Event Center in Elkhart to create a larger-than-life, fully immersive balloon carnival. Local Fun By the Yard owner Jennifer Nyikos will serve as the host, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana. The exhibit will be open to the public April 27 and 28.

A popping party starts at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. No little children allowed for the popping event. Ages 10 and older will be allowed for popping

Visit www.funbytheyard.net for details on the gala, family days times, prices and popping. Tickets are limited. Costs and details are all there for the variety of events.

Kierstin and Jennifer said there has been an abundance of corporate support from equipment to food. But there is a chance for involvement. “We are looking for volunteers for short shifts."

Visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/RMHCBigBalloonBuild#/

More than 80 domestic and international balloon artists will gather for the Big Balloon Build from April 22 to 28, 2024, at the Northern Indiana Event Center in Elkhart to create a larger-than-life, fully immersive balloon carnival. Local Fun By the Yard owner Jennifer Nyikos will serve as the host, and all proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana. The exhibit will be open to the public April 27 and 28.

Kierstin said RMH served the area with 4,500 overnight visits last year and 11,000 meals. Elkhart families have made use of the facilities. “Sleeping on chairs in a waiting room doesn’t work. Getting a hotel is expensive and difficult during football season.”

The Elkhart Balloon Build is an example of being in the community. “This is the first time we’ve (RMHC) been in Elkhart for an event.”

Jennifer promises wonderment for all ages. “The adults actually enjoy it more.”

Dani Lyons, left, and Liz Zimmerman prepare to perform at the "Bootlegger's Bash" at the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum on April 26, 2024, on the museums' campus. The actors are members of the theater group Shades of Orange.
Dani Lyons, left, and Liz Zimmerman prepare to perform at the "Bootlegger's Bash" at the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum on April 26, 2024, on the museums' campus. The actors are members of the theater group Shades of Orange.

The cat's meow: Museums become speakeasy

Now for a jazzy evening for those 21 or older. The History Museum and the Studebaker National Museum are opening the doors for a look at the fascinating period of Prohibition. The "Bootlegger’s Bash" is Friday from 6 to 10 p.m.

It is a jam-packed evening with music from Truth in Jazz and Gramophone DJ Jack Shellac. Food and drink will be for sale. A photo booth, plus there will be short talks about the era, cars and mixology; dancing; and a costume contest. (Period attire is suggested.).

And the museums don’t care how much you've watched “The Untouchables” — no replica weapons are permitted.

This provided photo shows South Bend's Catherine Oliver in the 1920s wearing clothing representative of the Prohibition era, which is the theme for "Bootlegger's Bash," an event The History Museum and Studebaker National Museum are presenting April 26, 2024, on their campus.
This provided photo shows South Bend's Catherine Oliver in the 1920s wearing clothing representative of the Prohibition era, which is the theme for "Bootlegger's Bash," an event The History Museum and Studebaker National Museum are presenting April 26, 2024, on their campus.

To add a little more spice, members of the theater group Shades of Orange will be part of the crowd. Here and there. Some will be prohibitionists and others will be enjoying the drink. Liz Zimmerman and Miranda Manier are members of Shades. They have studied the era and are ready to improvise. “Nothing like live theater,” Liz said. “We want to engage the guests.”

Shades of Orange formed several years ago. The group has been performing Shakespeare, sonnets and other works around the community.

Miranda’s character is a starlet who enjoys a cocktail or two. “We expect to have fun.”

Miranda Manier, left, and Dani Lyons prepare to perform at the "Bootlegger's Bash" at the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum on April 26, 2024, on the museums' campus. The actors are members of the theater group Shades of Orange.
Miranda Manier, left, and Dani Lyons prepare to perform at the "Bootlegger's Bash" at the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum on April 26, 2024, on the museums' campus. The actors are members of the theater group Shades of Orange.

Marilyn Thompson, The History Museum’s marketing director, said the bash is “tremendous opportunity to work with the Studebaker Museum. An event based on history. It is such a rich era with fashion and images. It is a way to bring history to life. Guests will be able to walk through all the galleries. It will be an experience.”

Kyle Sater, curator at the Studebaker National Museum, said this event will engage people and encourage them to familiarize themselves with the museums. “We want people to get excited about history and the museums.”

Tickets can be purchased online at www.historymuseumSB.org or www.studebakermuseum.org. VIP tickets are $100, and general admission is $30 ($40 at the door).

Kathy Borlik
Kathy Borlik

Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Elkhart Balloon Build and 'Bootleggers Bash' ready to launch