Phelan man entertains crowds with balloon creations

It's not everyone who can turn a few balloons into a monkey climbing a palm tree.

Cody Williams can do it in under 60 seconds, and make several more balloon creations within that same minute.

The 21-year-old Phelan resident has been entertaining people with the fine skill of balloon art, or balloon twisting, for the past three years. His handiwork goes far beyond the standard wiener dog you might see at a typical kids' birthday party.

"A monkey on a tree, a bear, a penguin, Tinkerbell, Spider-Man, roses, dragonflies ..." Williams reels off a list of possibilities so rapidly it's impossible to keep up with him.

Williams practices his trade on a regular basis at local restaurants including The Original Roadhouse Grill, Johnny Reb's, Hometown Buffet, IHOP in Victorville and Hesperia, and his weekly Wednesday night gig at Richie's Real American Diner in Victorville.

"Richie's is the first restaurant I ever worked at," Williams said. "My first balloon was two birds kissing in front of a heart for an older couple. I popped it about three times trying to make it."

The couple was patient, and so was the management at Richie's. Three years later, Williams competes professionally.

To read more about Williams, see the full story in Sunday's Daily Press. To subscribe to the Daily Press in print or online, call (760) 241-7755, 1-800-553-2006 or click here.

For information on hiring Williams for an event, call (760) 963-9632, or e-mail unicaw89@yahoo.com.