| Bristol is considered to be the world's centre for | | | | There are also shapes of animals to be featured in |
| ballooning. Because of its reputation for producing | | | | this year's Fiesta with an elephant, a grinning cat and |
| some of the world's largest and most durable | | | | a cute puppy dog. The idea of special shape balloons |
| balloons, it is not a surprise that it also hosts Europe's | | | | started in 1976 when Cameron Balloons produced the |
| largest hot air balloon festival. As many as 100 | | | | first-ever hot-air balloon sculptures. They have since t |
| balloons can fly at the same time. This four-day | | | | produced to showcase the ability of the |
| festival in Ashton Court, a large estate where many | | | | balloon-maker to create complex designs and |
| activities are held, gathers about half a million | | | | beautiful reproductions of things and animals. |
| audiences. This free-of-charge event is scheduled at | | | | During the evening, a Night Glow display is presented |
| 6 in the morning and at 6 in the evening. | | | | by the Discovery Channel and Expedia who are some |
| History | | | | of the events sponsors. People will flock to the area |
| In 1978, Don Cameron, owner of Cameron Balloons | | | | to witness the magnificent sight of dozens of hot-air |
| and one of the world's largest balloon manufacturers | | | | balloons create impressive effects from the three |
| decided to start a festival that would bring together | | | | main commands of burn, flicker and flash to the |
| balloonists and hot air balloon enthusiasts from around | | | | accompaniment of music. |
| the world. The first-ever Bristol International Balloon | | | | Special Shows |
| Fiesta was launched on September 7, 1979 in Ashton | | | | 2008 is the Balloon Fiesta's thirtieth anniversary and |
| Court. A small gathering of balloon lovers were on | | | | this year, the festival is preparing to give its best |
| the ground to witness the event. | | | | shows in the skies yet. Red Arrows, the Royal Air |
| There were 27 balloons that left the ground on that | | | | Force's fleet of acrobatic planes will thrill audiences |
| day and 117 total during the whole weekend with | | | | with their high-speed skills and spectacular drops. |
| participants coming from Luxembourg, Ireland, West | | | | Paramania will also be performing in this year's festival |
| Germany as well as England. The first Balloon Fiesta | | | | with their awesome display of aerial acrobatics. On |
| was also launched for advertising purposes with firms | | | | land, the stunt carriage team will also perform their |
| and companies allowed to place their names and | | | | death defying stunts and the Flying Gunners with |
| banners on the balloons. They were even encouraged | | | | jumps from amazingly high distances that will be sure |
| to fly their own balloons. | | | | to draw gasps from the audience. |
| Events | | | | This year's balloon festival has chosen the Marie Curie |
| There are balloon launches that occur during the | | | | Cancer Care as the official charity. The chosen |
| whole festival. The most anticipated of them is the | | | | charity will organize several activities for the audience |
| Special Shapes launch that features shapes according | | | | such as the Sky of Hope and the Ladies' Driving |
| to the year's theme. Last year, the Bristol | | | | Challenge. All these exciting activities are open to the |
| International Balloon Fiesta included shapes such as a | | | | public for a small donation to the Marie Curie Cancer |
| tortoise, a flying cathedral and a kiwi bird from New | | | | Care. |
| Zealand. | | | | |