Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 2, 1990                   TAG: 9006290091
SECTION: SALEM FAIR                    PAGE: SF-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHILDHOOD LOVE TURNED INTO CAREER

That was when he first took a balloon and twisted it into the shape of a puppy. Hamilton turned that fascination into a career as a balloon sculptor.

He starts every show by forming that same puppy. And for more than 20 years, he has twisted and tied balloons into every other imaginable shape. Some of his favorites are the basket of fruit, the rocking horse hat, the rainbow-filled cloud and the world-famous 11-balloon motorcycle, treasures he passes to outstretched hands in his audience.

Carey Harveycutter has high praise for Hamilton's sense of humor and ability to work a crowd. "As long as I am director of the Salem Fair, we will have David Hamilton as a part of it," he said.

Make friends with Hamilton at his evening shows at 5, 7 and 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and at 2, 4 and 7 p.m. on the weekends (except 1:45, 2:45 and 5:15 on Sunday, July 15).