By Nick Wilder

 

About the same time we were told to stay at home and stop gathering for birthday parties, dinners in restaurants, and religious services, I noticed a growing number of balloon sculptures outside people’s homes in Bucktown and Lincoln Park.  It must be hard to tell a six-year-old that no one can come to her birthday party.  At least with a balloon display, her family can show that she has not been forgotten. Over the past year, the displays have gotten more sophisticated. Here are twelve of my favorites: