Hundreds slipped, slid and dodged high-flying water balloons during an epic water balloon fight in Candler Park on June 24.
Local organizer Sasha Nino and Homes for Homies hosted the 6th annual Big A$$ Water Balloon Fight with dozens of warriors equipped with hundreds of balloons and water guns big and powerful enough to back up the decidedly crude name.
Credit: Lauren Booker, For the AJC
Credit: Lauren Booker, For the AJC
"Once I got hit, I was like I'm not going to get hit again and that's when my adrenaline started kicking in," Daniel Green, first time attendee, said. "I ran, literally. The best tactic you can do [is] dodge, dip and throw."
Following the wet outdoor battle royale, the fun continued at Davinci's Pizzeria in Decatur. The after party featured a celebrity appearance from Carrie Means, the voice of Frylock from Adult Swim's Aqua Teen Hunger Force. There was also prize giveaways, drink specials, comedians and live music performed by local artists, such as Fortress, Alchemy and Midnite Panda.
Credit: Lauren Booker, For the AJC
Credit: Lauren Booker, For the AJC
For the first time, Sasha Nino, orgnanizer of the water balloon fight, is dedicating all proceeds from the balloon fight to building a tiny home for a person in need through Homes for Homies, which is a grassroots community effort to build tiny homes and provide support to the needy in Atlanta.
She picked the group, because they provided her friend with a home.
"Evan, when he got his house, I sat in front of my computer and cried, because I was so happy," she said.
The water balloon fight was originally created just for Nino's friends. She was surprised to see how quickly the public event picked up steam on Facebook, and wants attendees who come to "feel their inner child awaken."
Credit: Lauren Booker, For the AJC
Credit: Lauren Booker, For the AJC
"I just want people to use it to go to a zen place and recognize something within themselves maybe they forgot or lost sometime ago. And let them realize that they still do have fun, and they still can have fun just like a kid," she said.
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Andrew McDowell came to the first water balloon fight back in 2010 and drove two hours to bring about 1,000 balloons to the battle. He said he planned on playing as a free agent during the match.
"It's a great community event and brings everyone together," McDowell said.
Credit: Lauren Booker, For the AJC
Credit: Lauren Booker, For the AJC
Even though it was Reid Kersey's first time at the Candler Park water balloon battle, he came to the event ready with water guns strapped on. He was a member of a group of water fighters called "Team Tron" and his tactic was to "hide and shoot."
"I saw [the event] on Facebook, and I decided to come out and have a good time and meet some new people and get wet," Kersey said. "It looked like a blast."
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