Balloon Manor in Greece, NY

Larry Moss holds the Guiness Book of World Records for the largest, non-round balloon sculpture - in 2003 he created The Flying Octopus, the worlds first piloted balloon sculpture. He's also well known in the Rochester, NY area for creating the largest haunted house made entirely of balloons that you'll ever see.

2004, the first year Balloon Manor was held, was housed in Southtown Plaza in Henrietta. In 2006 and 2007, Balloon Manor was built snugly in the Medley Center in Irondequoit. This year, Greece Town Mall hosts the spooky ten-room, 10,000 foot square foot house, made, yes, entirely of balloons - the walls, some of the ceilings, but no, not the floors. You'll find toilets (his and hers, in fact), beds (for only ghosts) to sleep in, cars and many horror-themed icons, but nothing so scary they'll send your two year old scurrying behind you (they are only balloons after all).

In previous years, Larry Moss has hired balloon artists from all over the world including Ecuador, Japan and Israel. It is estimated that the three previous Balloon Manor's have had over 20,000 visitors. And why not? These creations are downright bizarre and amazingly intricate, as well as being bold, interesting and colorful.

Scare U: Ghoul School is the theme this year and boasts to be a "monster college" with such classes as under-world history, inhumanities, and anti-social studies. 100,000 balloons are required to build the haunted house, and a crew of at least 50 volunteers is required to run it.

Because this event is so popular, Larry Moss has decided to create a "pre-show" to help lessen the stress of waiting in line, plus the actual wait time will be lessened.

Perhaps the best thing about Balloon Manor is that proceeds raised by the event directly benefit a local charity, "Teens Living with Cancer." Previous Balloon Manor's have raised $80,000 for Rochester charities including the Al Sigl Center, Golisano Children's Hospital and Wilmot Cancer Center. The Manor is also closed two days to host private functions, the proceeds of which will also go to TLC.

Running from October 17^th through October 26^th, Balloon Manor will be erected in the Bon Ton wing of Greece Ridge Mall. Tickets at the door will cost $10 for adults, and $6 for children. Advance tickets can be purchased online or at any area Wegmans supermarkets.

At the end of the event, the monster balloon creations are sold, just in time to grace front porches and lawns for Halloween.