Hot air balloon goes for world's largest condom record

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - Concertgoers at a festival in the Dutch city of Lichtenvoorde were treated to an unusual sight Friday: a pink hot air balloon 127 feet high, shaped exactly like a condom, drifting lazily across the sky.
The balloon, with the words "Vrij Veilig" - Dutch for "Safe Sex" - emblazoned on it, was launched by the public health service in the eastern district of Gelre-Ijssel, near the German border.
"This is a playful way of asking for attention to the problem of sexually-transmitted diseases, HIV and AIDS," said Laurent de Vries.
It took three months to design and construct the balloon in Bristol, England, and 10-15 minutes for workers from Virgin Balloon Flights Benelux BV to fill the balloon with hot air.
Organizers said they plan to submit the balloon to Guinness Book of World Records in the category of "World's Biggest Condom."