Why do we love hot air balloons?

Ever since the very beginning of Emily’s Entourage- actually, even before there was an Entourage, hot air balloons have been a special symbol for the Kramer-Golinkoff family. You have probably noticed that they feature prominently in all our logos and EE swag, and we figured it was a good time to provide a little historical background.

In fact, hot air balloons have been special to the Kramer-Golinkoff family for 30 years. Not long after Emily was first diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, her mom Liza decided;
when there is a cure for CF, we will celebrate by gathering all of our friends and family for a hot air balloon ride.

To her, the inflation of a hot air balloon symbolized healthy lungs filling up with air, as well as an overall feeling of being happy and carefree.

When Emily was very young, her parents founded the original iteration of Emily’s Entourage, known as the Cystic Fibrosis Research Fund. Liza’s childhood best friend Leslie designed the Fund’s logo and after weeks of brainstorming, they decided on the slogan “Support CF research, we’ll all breathe easier” and a multi-colored design with a hot air balloon.

The three girls depicted in the hot air balloon basket in the original logo are Emily, and Leslie’s twin daughters; Hallie and Elissa.

Ever since then, hot air balloons have continued to be an inspirational and meaningful symbol for the whole family, and now for the entire Entourage. You also may recognize the phrase “we’ll all breathe easier.” Emily tries to end all Emily’s Entourage speeches with this meaningful line as a throwback to the early days.

We all look forward to the day when we can celebrate a cure with Emily, from high above the treetops in a floating hot air balloon where we can fly (and breathe) free.