This past Saturday I had the pleasure to attended the world’s largest water balloon fight held in the outdoor Masquerade Music Park in Atlanta, GA.
The absolutely beautiful hot day encouraged shorts and bath suits and this was the place to be to get soaked! Hosted by Door 44 and 97.9 Atlanta’s rock station (formally 99x), the event seriously rocked. With the radio station onsite pumping out tunes and endlessly energizing the crowd of some 3000+ people, the mood was more then jubilant. Atlanta’s best strolled around with summer flair, some even dressed in costume; enjoying the open outdoor bars, pizza, war face painting, and tattooing. After the $5 entry fee, bags of pre-filled colorful water balloon were provided free of charge.
I arrived around two o’clock just in time to witness Atlanta's own 99X DJ’s call for all kids to come to a large grassed area in front of the stage and prepare to get soaked. This was super cute as the kids (maybe a hundred) were highly enthusiastic to bomb each other. After that I noticed that they had a huge blow up water slide setup for the kids and adults too! I tried to talk my photographer into sliding but to no avail. Tempting!
After about an hour of checking out the scene and talking with people it was time for business. We positioned ourselves about mid way on the right side, with plenty of glistening, bulging, water balloons in hand. Interestingly, they had everyone divided into two areas with a 10 foot safe zone in the middle for the DJ’s to run around. Hyping up both sides of the crowd, the energy began to grow and we were all ready to get 'wet' and dirty. We then realized we should move to the front lines to avoid the brunt of the water bombs being thrown from the other side. The excitement and rivalry mounted between the two sides until finally the count down began. 10, 9, 8, 7, I thought 'oh my god' we are about get soaked as I pushed my cell phone deeper in my pocket, 6, 5, 4, 3, the crowd is roaring, 2, 1. Toss!
The sky literally filled with flying colors of red, green, blue, purple, and the water rained down for a good 10 minutes. Everyone was laughing, smiling, even dancing around under the apparent benediction of the moment. I was drenched from head to toe! Some of the patrons took advantage of the grass, now completely saturated with water, to mud slide. Throwing them selves on the ground only to end in a muddy splash at the stage, covering themselves from head to toe in mud. I was filthy and wet but totally elated from all the fun to care.
Washing stations were provided to rise off and people generously helped clean up the ground which sparkled with wet balloons of every color. Afterwards Door 44 hosted an after party at a nearby venue. I love Atlanta; where else could you find such cool people and such an awesome event.
Door 44 Jaynie Coffee
door44atlanta.com
97.9
Atlanta’s Rock Station
99x.com
Masquerade Entertainment Complex Atlanta, GA
masq.com
