FlimFlam One

"Balloon Boy" Flying Saucer Returns to Colorado for Public Display

Countdown Begins for Thursday Unlaunching Event in Aurora

AURORA, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flimflam One has landed. The runaway flying saucer-like balloon, which circumnavigated the global mediasphere during a 60-mile rescue chase across the skies of Colorado in 2009, has returned to the state of the drama. This time, from Florida, by UPS ground.

“I thought, let's have some fun with this”

Beginning Thursday, July 21, the 20-foot wide object d'fraud will be hovering from the ceiling of Mike's Stadium Sportscards in Aurora, Colorado, for the bemusement of customers and curiosity seekers. Next week, a live webcam will enable chronic balloon voyeurs worldwide to view Colorado history deflated at http://www.mikesss.com. On October 15, 2011, the second anniversary of the balloon's infamous flight, Flimflam One will descend for the last time and be retired into authenticated slices of collectible Americana, with all sale proceeds benefitting the Smoky Hill High Thanksgiving SHARE Basket Project.

The homemade "experimental flying saucer," set adrift by former Fort Collins, Colorado reality TV aspirant Richard Heene on October 15, 2009, was reported to have been carrying Heene's 5 year old son, Falcon, an alleged stowaway. The resulting made-for-TV news hoax set off an international media storm, as spellbound onlookers riveted themselves to live TV and real-time social media coverage. When the free-flying balloon descended, then deflated, so did Heene's ill-conceived hoax.

Heene and his wife, Mayumi, were subsequently convicted in Colorado state court on related charges, then sentenced to brief jail terms and eight years probation. The Heenes have since relocated to Florida.

Renamed Flimflam One by its new owner, Michael Fruitman, 41, the UFO-like balloon was purchased at auction from a California attorney representing the Heenes. The auction sale fell only $997,498 short of Heene's published $1 million expectation.

"I thought, let's have some fun with this," said Fruitman. "So, I bought Flimflam One for our customers to enjoy. Then, we’ll slice into authenticated chunks of collectible Americana to raise money for the Thanksgiving food project. It's a win-win, no matter what, providing my 3 and 8 year olds don't get any clever ideas."

Flimflam One will be ceremonially unlaunched at noon on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at Mike's Stadium Sportscards, 4022 South Parker Road, Aurora. It will remain on display for free public viewing and photographs through mid-October, during regular store hours (Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday Noon-5pm). On October 15, 2011, the second anniversary of the balloon's infamous flight, Flimflam One will descend for the final time and be retired into slices of collectible American memorabilia. Balloon Boy devotees, curiosity collectors and former NASA astronauts may reserve their authenticated piece of history at http://www.mikesss.com.

"If you come across a two headed calf, I think that is great and all, but it is not really what we are looking for. Now if you stumble upon some Mickey Mantle cards that you would like to sell, or if you would like work on your Bronco collection, that is where we can really help you out."