Photo by SANDI FAHY
Mark "The Balloon Guy" Byrne tips his hat to the audience during his performance at the Clearwater Main Library on July 17. Byrne combined comedy, magic and balloon art to entertain both children and adults that day. The award-winning entertainer was Florida close-up magic champion in 2004 and 2005. He took first place in the "Magic on the Beach" competition in Miami in 2003 and was named "Most Original Performer" in the International Brotherhood of Magicians' Strolling Olympics in 2002. In 2004, he was voted Tampa Bay Stage Magician of the Year. Byrne is a regular performer at restaurants in Clearwater, Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg.
