National company lifts local celebration off the ground

Posted at: 06/18/2012 10:39 PM | Updated at: 06/18/2012 10:41 PM

A national company has helped to save a local celebration.

The Genesee Country Village & Museum has built the world's first replica of a Civil War manned balloon, the Intrepid, and planned to fly the balloon beginning July 4th. When a nationwide helium shortage meant that the plan may not get off the ground, Macy's stepped in.

The company, well-known for its own helium-filled balloons that parade through Manhattan every Thanksgiving, donated 50,000 cubic feet of helium to the museum, meaning that the Intrepid will be able to take flight this year.

The Intrepid will begin flying on the fourth of July. It will take guests 300 feet into the sky over the museum in Mumford. The flight will simulate what military pilots experienced 150 years ago.

"We were looking for a miracle. The museum was seemingly out of options to secure helium after having placed innumerable calls to dealers, government officials and even decommissioned research laboratories across the U.S.," said Peter Arnold, the museum's CEO and president. "Then we heard from Macy's, which was able to donate the 50,000 cubic feet we needed. We're simply ecstatic, as we were within days of having to suspend our opening. 'The Magic of Macy's' has never been more real."

A spokesperson for Macy's says supporting education is important to the company, and it's support is especially relevant in this situation because the company was founded during the Civil War era.

For more information on The Intrepid, visit the Genesee Country Village and Museum's website.
 

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