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Balloon Fiesta to return to Ashton Court this summer
More than 100 balloons are set to fill the skies above Ashton Court as the fiesta returns home after a two-year hiatus.
Organisers of Europe’s largest annual ballooning event are promising to make this a year to remember as they reveal plans for the festival that will include mass ascents and the ever-popular nightglow.
Last year Covid restrictions meant the return of an adapted event, with balloons taking off from secret locations across the city, and the plan is to keep elements that saw the fun of the fiesta spread among different communities for the first time.
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People in Bristol will be able to nominate locations for pre-fiesta balloon lifts from their local parks, school grounds and open spaces.
At Ashton Court from August 11-14, this year’s International Balloon Fiesta will feature balloons of all shapes and sizes, as well as entertainment, children’s activities, fairground rides, food stalls and bars, balloon tethering and demonstrations, model aircraft displays and a local music stage.
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Don Cameron, the founder and chairman of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, said: “After a difficult two years for our communities and of course many of our balloonists, we are delighted to be bringing the fiesta back home to Ashton Court.
“We are hoping for sunny skies and light winds as many new balloons will take to the skies, alongside some old favourites from the UK and lots of international destinations. We’re proud to be able to continue putting on a show for Bristol and helping put the city on the map as a ballooning capital.”
The popular nightglows will be returning this year – photo: Paul Box
The Costa Coffee team are returning this year with their ‘A Coffee With’ experience that gives visitors a chance to meet pilots, explore inside inflated hot air balloons and catch storytelling and crafts for all the family.
The nightglows on Thursday and Sunday evenings will see balloons light up in time to a soundtrack provided by BBC Radio Bristol, followed by a firework display.
People will have a chance to meet balloon pilots – photo: Paul Box
Main photo: Paul Box
Read more: Bristol’s hot air balloon season officially begins
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