Sky’s the limit as balloon fiesta takes off

The skies above Bristol were filled with hot air balloons after a mass launch this morning to mark the week of the city’s annual fiesta.

Twenty five hot air balloons took part in the dawn flight as part of a countdown to the 35th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

The spectacle begins on Thursday at the Ashton Court Estate and runs until Sunday evening, with launches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Over 150 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes will take off from the estate during the event, which is expected to be attended by half a million visitors.

Ben Hardy, organiser of Barton Willmore Bristol International Balloon Fiesta said: “Preparations are well under way for the 35th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – we are expecting over 120 balloons to fly in each mass ascent and the press launch this morning went really well with perfect ballooning conditions.

“Hundreds of thousands of visitors will join us for free across the weekend, as we reveal some new special shaped balloons, aerobatics and the famous nightglows on Thursday 8th and Saturday 10th August.”

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, sponsored this year by planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore, is Europe’s largest annual hot air balloon event.

It will open with a balloon tethering display at 12pm on Thursday, followed by the unveiling of the special shapes at 6pm.

via – Yorkshire Post.