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Smith’s initial passion was not
making the same 12 balloon ani-
mals in the beginning of his new
business adventure. It was scuba
diving. He learned that he would
need extra income to support that
hobby and the expensive scuba
diving lessons associated with it.
So in reality, his balloon creations
became the means to an end.
Today, he laughs when he
thinks back to the time he would
pay for scuba lessons in $1 bills.
Remembering how The Unique
Twist got its start is a story that
this self-taught balloon artist
enjoys telling. The success of
his “part-time second job” is
sprinkled with gratitude for the
people who supported his busi-
ness along the way.
Joe McGuire, a former co-
worker at WEEK-TV and widely
known as “Bosun Joe” of the
famed Capt. Jinks and Salty Sam
Show, gave Smith his first big
job. McGuire was the coordinator
of the highly successful WEEK
Kids Now-A-Days Festival held
for years at the Peoria Civic
Center. It was this major event
that would ultimately spearhead
Smith into a not-so-natural big
break.
“
Thanks to Joe, I knew I could
take on the big Civic Center
shows, so I talked Carl Bunker
of R&B Productions into selling
me a discounted booth at the
Hunting and Fishing Show,” said
Smith with a grin. “To everyone’s
surprise, I had 12 to 15 deep at
my booth the entire day. Each
time Carl walked by he would
shake his head in disbelief, but
at the same time he truly under-
stood the value of having bal-
loons and family entertainment at
his event. From that day forward
a partnership was formed and it
continues to this day.”
Smith also does the Spring
Home Show for coordinator Lisa
Scott, who appreciates Smith’s
“
classy operation” because he’s
not handing out the typical bal-
loon artist creation of swords
and dogs. At most events, Smith
or one of his crew will produce
between 36 and 40 balloon
creations, including their famous
monkey in a banana tree, way-
cool alien guy, and the ever-pop-
ular princess hats for girls.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 56
Peoria balloon artist Doug Smith paid a recent visit to the set of WHOI-TV’s morning show
and created several Easter-themed pieces for co-anchors Anna Yee and Mark Welp.
