Swampscott Balloon Business Brings Cheer Amid Coronavirus Crisis

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Carolina Velasquez spent her days this spring trying to help North Shore residents through some of the most unexpected and toughest circumstances of their lives as a social worker for the state.

She spent nearly every free moment creatively thinking of ways to help bring smiles to the faces of area residents through her balloon displays at Fairytale Moments Events of Swampscott.

Velasquez admits it has been a trying whirlwind of emotions to balance both efforts during the 10 months of the coronavirus health crisis. But she said the pressures and occasional anguish of one job are mitigated with the satisfaction she receives in knowing she made something that made the day of a young person celebrating a quiet birthday, or adults commemorating an isolated anniversary, when it otherwise might have been a joyous occasion involving dozens of family and friends.

"It's very nice to see that something as simple as balloons can really cheer people up and give people a sense of normalcy," she told Patch. "It gives them a little of that back. It makes them feel less gloomy.

"Being a social worker, I spend a lot of lot of time talking with people who are having a difficult time to say the least. All day long I am assisting clients and connecting them with other resources. To be able to create something that gives someone joy in a completely different atmosphere is also really nice."

Velasquez, who delivers many of the balloon displays herself, said she can often hear the screams of enthusiasm and laughter of the recipient as she drives away from a house. The difference Fairytale Moments Events has brought to Marblehead and Swampscott was hardly fleeting as several residents nominated Velasquez as a 2020 Patch Business of the Year.

Fairytale Moments Events was celebrated in multiple nominations for their caring customer service, unique creations and "breathtaking creations that provide heartfelt forever memories."

(MA Patch Local Business Information Center: A Community Resource)

"We've had a lot of friends and people who have been hit very, very hard," Velasquez said. "I am glad we were able to be supported by the community. This business was more of hobby to me. I don't do it for the money. I do it for the creative outlet.

"It's fun. It can be stressful. But it's nice to see people happy and enjoy things. It's something you don't always see these days."

Velasquez, a native of Uruguay who grew up in Newton and moved to the North Shore in 2005, had a more traditional event business prior to the onset of the pandemic. She did parties and weddings that included photo booths, festive decorations and, of course, balloon displays.

But when the stay-at-home advisories and shutdowns hit in March the events ended. The graduation parties were put on hold. The big family reunions disappeared.

Clients looking for some way to bring something bright and fun to allay the disappointment of missing out on a greater reception turned to Velasquez.

And she felt it was her responsibility to deliver for them.

"We used to do a lot of events at venues and function rooms people would rent," she said. "All those places were closed. We typically had balloons anyway so we shifted to that focus. People were still looking for some way to celebrate.

"The question was: 'How do we still make it special?' People like balloons. Because it's a small community in Swampscott and Marblehead people would post things (on social media), and other people would like them, word quickly got passed around."

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Velasquez said she went from a handful of orders a week to five or six orders per day in the spring until the weather relented, some businesses started to reopen, and things calmed down a bit.

Often, she created outdoor displays 5 to 8 feet tall that surprised the recipient and let neighbors know there was an important milestone in their midst. She said recipients could enjoy the balloons months later when brought inside.

She said those thoughts often give her solace when the social work challenges become overwhelming.

"I take a breath when I need it," said Velasquez, who works to obtain financial assistance for families with dependent children. "I know we do everything we can. We don't always have the resources to just get everybody what they want when they want it. But at that point, when they're having a crisis, they can't hear what you are saying.

"But then when we deliver the balloons, we can hear the kids. Those reactions lighten your whole mood, and it lessens your stress a little bit.

"Sometimes the balloons don't cooperate and they create stress too. But, at the end of the day, if I can create something that makes people happy that's the best thing I can do."

Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.