Images from Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2007
© All images Flycam BMSS Ltd
Discovery Channel
International
Balloon Fiesta 2007
Ashton Court, Bristol
Thursday 9th – Sunday 12th August
Blue skies and big crowds at the 2007 Balloon Fiesta
The 2007 Discovery Channel International Balloon Fiesta was blessed with four days of spectacular sunshine and record-breaking crowds. Organisers agree that this has been one of the most successful Balloon fiestas in years, helped along by the wonderful weather and idyllic flying conditions, which enabled all but one of the seven scheduled mass launches to go ahead.
Susan Tanner, the Event Director, comments: “Everyone who has been involved with this year’s event is extremely happy with how things have gone, and the feedback we have received from visitors is very positive. I am delighted that we have managed to see so many launches, after all, the hot air balloons are what the fiesta is really all about.”
Saturday saw record crowds of around 125,000 over the course of the day, with the Saturday Evening Night Glow proving to be the star attraction. The banks around the launch field were packed with spectators who clapped and cheered as 23 tethered balloons operated their burners in time to the beats of a rock and roll soundtrack (joined in the middle of the arena by six toy balloons operated by pilots from the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium) followed by an awesome display of fireworks that lit up the night sky.
A varied schedule of arena acts and interactive stands kept visitors entertained throughout the four days, and a total of 422 balloon flights took place in all, with several brand new balloons making their debuts, and returning favourites in the form of our Special Shapes balloons such as the Scottish piper, the giant Kiwi bird and the Cadbury’s Crème Egg.
The Fiesta team is now turning it’s thoughts to next year’s 30th anniversary event, and plans are already underway towards making it something very special. Susan Tanner adds: “I can hardly believe that we are approaching the 30th year of the Balloon fiesta, and how much it has grown over the years to become such a big event, and such an important part of the identity of Bristol. I hope that everyone will join us next year to celebrate thirty years of the fiesta in style!”
[Reproduced courtesy of Bristol Balloon Fiesta web-site]