Skywhale it seems, can't satisfy people's appetite for the absurd.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Reports from the village of Gunning's annual fireworks on Saturday night, where Skywhale was a drawcard, said one of its enormous breasts filled a doorway of the P & C shed.
Ann Darbyshire, a correspondent for the Goulburn Post newspaper, reported the size and number of breasts on Skywhale would make jersey cow Shirlinn Icy Eve, winner of the supreme champion dairy female at the 2013 Sydney Royal, feel completely inadequate.
Ms Darbyshire, who was not at the fireworks, said she had been told the Upper Lachlan Wood Guild was selling food inside the P & C shed when the balloon inflated.
"Guild member Meg Harrison reported that it was too much for even those males with a keen appreciation of the female form, who reeled back in panic."
While we cannot track down Ms Harrison, Carol White, a member of the wood guild, said the 23 metre balloon was inflated nearby, but she didn't see any breasts block doors.
"I was busy selling sausage sandwiches," she said.
The best place for inflating and displaying Skywhale had caused quite a bit of debate, she said.
" It was only up for half an hour, it was a bit disappointing."
Centenary of Canberra public relations manager Susanne Roberts said she was unaware of any glitches, and that the big girl was tethered and made fantastic pictures when lit inside from gas burners.
The provocative Centenary of Canberra hot air balloon was booked from 4pm until 6.30pm.
Lauded as a bold piece of public art as much as it has been lashed as an extravagance, Skywhale won over fireworks organiser Martin Brady who confessed he was one of the early critics of the friendly beast.
He said Skywhale for some reason couldn't be inflated for a while on Saturday night, which as it turned out was a bonus because by the time the gas burners fired up it was dusk, which made more use of the gas light.
Jaws dropped across the Gunning Showground. A crowd of about 4000 was left amazed.
"It certainly is a conversation starter," Mr Brady said.
"People couldn't take their eyes off it."
An annual trade show, the fireworks this year drew 120 companies to look at new products.
The event is also a community fundraiser.