Photo byMike CoxonUnsplash

In the heart-shaped land of Illinois, nestled between the mighty Mississippi, the shimmering Lake Michigan, and round corn fields that look like polka dots from an airplane, a peculiar phenomenon takes place. It's the land where kids, ordinary during the day, turn into soaring superheroes after school – The Illinois Trampolinians! The Trampolinians are a jolly group of kids who embrace the marvels of gravity, or lack thereof, while bouncing on their magical trampolines. Billy 'Boing' Baxter, the leader of the group, is a ten-year-old with an eccentric head of curly hair, freckles that multiply every time he laughs (which is often), and a laugh that sounds like a donkey singing opera. In the corner of the land, where the sun sets and paints the sky with hues of orange and pink, Billy transforms into 'Billy the Bouncer'. Together with his team of Trampolinians, he leads epic battles against gravity. With each bounce, they shoot into the sky like rockets, perform somersaults that would make an Olympic gymnast blush, and land with a grace that would make a cat look clumsy. Their laughter rings louder than the chiming church bells, echoing across the cornfields, over the rivers, and into the heart of the city. The Illinois Trampolinians, with their boundless energy and infectious laughter, have a way of making the state even more magical, colorful, and lively. So, if you're ever visiting the beautiful land of Illinois, listen closely for the echo of laughter and the tell-tale boings, and you might just spot Billy and his team, defying gravity and spreading joy.