Inflate the Fun

At the forefront of businesses fusing sculpture and whimsy for all your decor needs sits HK Balloons, a Charleston-based company founded by Hampton Keith Bishop that specializes in inflatable art. Whether it’s simple decor, a colorful arch, or a grand centerpiece, Bishop can do it all. In fact, from working with the likes of Netflix, Adidas, SNL, and more, Bishop has done it all! But how did this balloon business start? 

To understand Hampton Bishop’s story, let’s go back to the beginning in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the city where he was born and raised. While Bowling Green is not known for balloons—rather, it’s known as the Corvette Capital—interactions with city resident and former Ringling Brothers performer Broadway the Clown would skew Bishop away from an automotive trajectory.  

Broadway, known as Nick Wilkins when offstage, was a neighbor and family friend of the Bishop family. Wilkins, an entertainer at heart, was always more than happy to show off tricks from his circus days, tricks which would prove life-changing for young Hampton who was transfixed by Wilkins’ balloon animals. 

Wilkins was thrilled to teach, and so by first grade Bishop was proficient in the art of balloons. As time passed and Bishop grew up, this fascination only expanded, and it came as no surprise to anyone when he founded HK Balloons. 

Based in Charleston, with two satellite workshops in Nashville and New York City, HK Balloons has become a shining success. With their balloons featured in shows like the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt or in performances of those like the Jonas Brothers, whether you know it or not, you’ve probably seen Bishop’s work. 

What makes HK Balloons so special is that Bishop’s passion is evident in everything they do. From something as simple as office holiday decor, to gigantic sculptures featured on TV, Bishop and his team treat every order with the same level of care and creativity. Weddings, high school dances, concerts, birthday parties, galas: HK Balloons does it all. 

With service across the United States, not just in range of their three offices, Bishop works to share the joy of balloons with everyone he can. No matter where you are, the next time you want to spice up an event with a little fun, consider HK Balloons.  

Want to discover more local? Follow Fig Magazine on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration.