• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Wednesday August 14 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bristol Balloon Fiesta hailed one of the best yet

Bristol’s annual Balloon Fiesta, which took place this weekend, has been hailed as one of the best in the event’s 46-year history by its organisers.

In February, organisers announced that the popular event was being reduced from four days to three as it tried to fill a £100,000 gap in its funds.

But the weekend crowds – and casual spectators around the city – were treated to three mass assents – on Saturday morning, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning – while visitors to the showground at Ashton Court also got to enjoy two spectacular night glows.

A Sunday evening launch was only scuppered by high winds which would have blown the balloons towards the Bristol Channel.

The Thatchers balloon over Clifton

This year, the event also hosted the British National Hot Air Balloon Championships. The competition saw 15 balloon teams compete on Sunday morning, flying from Bath, completing point-scoring tasks in Hengrove, then flying as close as they could to the Fiesta to drop markers on a target in the centre of the arena, before flying off again to a third and final target.

Ben Hardy, executive director of Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, said: “This year has been truly spectacular, and has hopefully created memories that will last a lifetime for hundreds of thousands.

“Being able to bring almost 200 balloons to the skies of Bristol, and to bring the community together is exactly why the Fiesta was set up all those years ago in 1979.

“The last few years have been tough for the event, and as we approach our 50th anniversary we are asking once again for the support of those who love the Fiesta and want to see it continue.

“If you have enjoyed the event as a visitor, marvelled at one of the ascents from a local park or your back garden, we very kindly ask you to make a donation, however small and whatever possible, so we can continue to put this incredible event on for you and the city of Bristol.”

A mass assent took balloon pilots over The Downs, where crowds gathered at The Observatory to watch

Once again the West’s business community rallied to support the not-for-profit event, which is free to attend.

Sponsors included Thatchers, Butcombe, The Eco Scheme, Airbus, Epic, Bailey, Bristol Junior Chamber, Village Hotel Club, Boe Gin, GWR, The Ivy, Changsha, Cameron Balloons, The Motorhome Holiday Company.com, What’s On Bristol, BIMM University, AMBITIOUS, Triangle, Delta Hotel, Marriott Bristol Royal, Clayton Hotel, Radisson Hotels, The Bristol, Leonardo Hotels, Moxy Hotels, Stagecoach, The James Dyson Foundation, and Make It China.

Everyone who donates toward the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta before Monday, September 9 will be entered into a prize draw to win a flight for two in one of the brilliant balloons you have seen this weekend.

To make a donation and to be in with a chance of winning the flight, visit: https://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/get-involved/donate#1

All images courtesy of Paul Box

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