Springfield biz owner selected for Big Balloon Build

A Springfield business owner has been selected to help lead an international team of balloon artists in a large-scale display of their talents.

Dena Atchley, owner of Dena The Balloon Lady, will help build a 10,000-square-foot balloon forest with trees, animals, waterfalls and more made out of balloons, according to a news release.

The Big Balloon Build in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, is scheduled to open to the public March 24-26.

"I am so excited to work with this team," Atchley said in the release. "Sixty-five talented balloon artists from all over the world are coming together for this – all small- business owners who want to make a difference in the world.”

The Big Balloon Build will raise money for Inspiration Ministries and Inspired Coffee, as well as local food banks.

It's Atchley's third Big Balloon Build, according to the release. Her first big Balloon Build in Vincennes, Indiana, raised more than $130,000 for the United Way of Knox County in April 2022.