Funny to see this on here. I believe Clemson and UGA actually started this trend.
In 1983 Clemson announced it was going to set the record with a release of 250,000 balloons. Georgia, being competitive announced that the next week it would release 300,000.
Both releases happened and after Georgia's attempt to steal the record, Clemson released official numbers that were about 360,000, allowing them to hold the balloon release record and making UGA's attempt to 1-up the release a wasted effort. Clemson and UGA was a big football rivalry at this point with both schools having won titles in 1981 and 1980 respectively, while being located only 90 miles apart.
Shortly afterward, Disney decided to take the record with a launch of 1 million balloons which I believe preceded this Cleveland event.
In 1983 Clemson announced it was going to set the record with a release of 250,000 balloons. Georgia, being competitive announced that the next week it would release 300,000.
Both releases happened and after Georgia's attempt to steal the record, Clemson released official numbers that were about 360,000, allowing them to hold the balloon release record and making UGA's attempt to 1-up the release a wasted effort. Clemson and UGA was a big football rivalry at this point with both schools having won titles in 1981 and 1980 respectively, while being located only 90 miles apart.
Shortly afterward, Disney decided to take the record with a launch of 1 million balloons which I believe preceded this Cleveland event.
EDIT: Yep, Disney in 1985 release 1 million.
https://www.ocregister.com/2015/12/02/mr-anaheim-remembering...