News / bristol balloon fiesta
Balloons soar above the city ahead of Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Balloons soared above Bristol on early Monday morning ahead of 2023’s Bristol International Balloon Fiesta which begins on Thursday.
Dozens of balloons took flight from Ashton Court Estate as the sun rose over the city, before descending to various locations across the city to land.
Bristol comedian, Jayde Adams, posed for a photo in front of a balloon before taking off in one of them.
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Jayde Adams takes off – photo: Rob Browne
One of the flights was piloted by Allie Dunnington, one of the festival’s only female pilots, who heads up the first commercial all-female team for Virgin’s Bristol and Bath launch sites.
Allie founded the annual Women’s Balloon Event in 2010 to involve more women and girls in aviation.
Having chartered hot air balloons in 112 countries, including Burma, UAE, Paraguay and Namibia, Allie holds the world record for the most countries chartered in a hot air balloon.
She’ll be attending the festival, alongside dozens of pilots, including Ian Martin, who organises the festival’s popular night glow event, which sees multiple balloons light up to a one-off soundtrack.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest hot air balloon event and has been running since 1979.
Returning to the estate from Thursday, August 10 to Sunday, August 13, the world-renowned festival will see dozens of hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes take to the skies at dusk and dawn.
Organisers have announced 2023’s first mass ascent, which usually takes place on Friday morning, is now set to take place the Thursday evening at 6pm.
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
Read next:
- Don Cameron on Bristol International Balloon Fiesta: It’s like coming home
- Bristol Balloon Fiesta to return for 45th ‘sapphire’ year
- Return of Bristol Balloon Fiesta for 2022
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