Red balloons were spotted tied to storm drains around East Nashville Thursday morning, though no one has claimed responsibility for the prank linked to a fictional killer clown.
The red balloons, the sign of Pennywise, the sewer-dwelling clown known to eat children in Stephen King’s 1986 novel “It,” have appeared it an at least one other American town this week.
In Lititz, Pennsylvania, police posted photos of the balloons around town on Facebook and jokingly reported being “completely terrified” while removing them.
On Thursday night, the horror film “It” based on King’s book debuts in movie theaters.
While the prankster — or movie promoter — remains at large, residents around East Nashville have reported being sufficiently creeped out.
Where have balloons been spotted in Nashville?
At least two were on Shelby Avenue, one at the intersection of South 14th Street — where drivers stopped to take photos — as well as at the intersection of South 10th Street.
Another was spotted on Riverside Drive, prompting Twitter user @abs_olutelycray to post a photo of the balloon with the caption, “SOMEONE TIED A RED BALLOON TO THE SEWER IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE IM SCREAMING.”
SOMEONE TIED A RED BALLOON TO THE SEWER IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE IM SCREAMING pic.twitter.com/oUH4QUuT9U
— Abby Van (@abs_olutelycray) September 7, 2017
A screenshot of photo posted to Instagram Stories was accompanied by Twitter user @Alexahess19’s warning: “THIS IS NOT OKAY NO CLOWNS ALLOWED AT MY HOUSE.”
THIS IS NOT OKAY NO CLOWNS ALLOWED AT MY HOUSE pic.twitter.com/uzEHotdDFN
— Alexa (@Alexahess19) September 7, 2017
After learning about a red balloon tied to a grate near Davidson Street and South 5th Street, @pugglife tweeted a head-shaking “nope” GIF.
the one on woodland (near I24) didn't last long. saw it at 6am, was gone 30min later. happily found it's remnants down the road 😰😅 pic.twitter.com/8k391wZxXq
— joshhunter (@joshhunter) September 7, 2017
One of the balloons tied to a drain on Woodland Street "didn't last long," said Twitter user @joshhunter. He spotted the balloon at 6 a.m. and it was gone within half an hour.
Have you seen other red balloons around Nashville on Thursday? Tweet at @natalie_allison or email her at nallison@tennessean.com.
