The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta begins with the Special Shapes launch on Thursday 6th August 2009 at 6pm and has mass launches daily at 6am and 6pm weather permitting.
Special Shapes Rodeo
The stars of the Fiesta are always the special shapes, last year there were many balloons that had never been seen in the UK including a flying cathedral from Switzerland, a New Zealand kiwi bird, an LG Mobile Phone from Spain, a tortoise and a mouth-watering orange segment from Belgium! This year turned out to be just as original!
This year crowds saw showcasing of the original Special Shape balloons on Thursday as well as some popular new favourites such as the Churchill dog.
Fiesta-goers were again able to watch and marvel as many favourites take to the skies. They will include the child-friendly Monster Trump balloon, the Chubb Fire Extinguisher and the Stroud and Swindon House.
Special shape balloons first took to the skies in 1976, when Bristol-based Cameron Balloons launched its new concept hot-air balloon sculpture into the skies above the city. The balloon was in the form of the Robertson’s Golly and it heralded the start of a new era in aerial advertising and balloon design. From this initial concept flight, special shaped balloon designs have ‘taken off’, with designs becoming increasingly complex as customers realise that their scope is limited only by their imagination.
Special shape balloons are an example of not only complex design skill in their production, but also admirable flying skills from the pilot involved. They are more difficult to make and fly than round balloons. They require more manpower and technical design knowledge in the production stage and a more experienced pilot to handle the balloon in flight, which makes witnessing them an exciting experience. Ultimately, a special shape balloon is distinctive and memorable, but most of all, its fun - and thats the point of the Fiesta!
Model Balloons
New for this year we had an added treat for all ballooning fans! Along with our Special Shapes balloons and rodeo, we had the fantastic Model Balloons! These hand-made miniature hot air balloons are approximately 1/50th of the volume of a regular hot air balloon but are just as entertaining. Ranging anywhere from 12ft - 30ft, they come in a variety of amusing and wonderful shapes and sizes and are a sight to behold - unmanned and radio remote controlled from the ground. This year we have a whole host coming to the Fiesta including a dog, elephant, bear, ladybirds…and even a lighthouse!
Night Glows
Night Glows are planned for Thursday 6th and Saturday 8th August 2009 and will once again be breathtaking spectacles of some 30 tethered balloons illuminating the night sky like giant light bulbs.
As night falls on the Fiesta, people of all ages flock to watch the striking Night Glow. Under coded instructions via radio communication, the pilots create a variety of dazzling effects from only three main commands: burn, flicker and flash. These astounding sequences are set to a special music mix.
An impressive array of sequences are expertly choreographed to the rhythm of the music and the atmospheric display leads to a dramatic finale - a magnificent firework display, put together by Bristol-based Skyburst. Energetic and awe-inspiring, it’s a night to remember!
Last Years Events In The Main Arena
Red Arrows joined Bristol Fiesta’s thirtieth anniversary party
Britain’s world famous aerobatic display team – The Red Arrows came to the Discovery Channel Bristol, International Balloon Fiesta on Sunday August 10th.
Not only were the skies above the city’s Ashton Court estate playing host to over 120 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes during three days of mass ascents, the Red Arrows also provided a thrilling display of their spectacular, high speed skills.
2008 is the 44th display season in which the Red Arrows have demonstrated the professional excellence of the Royal Air Force to millions of people in both the UK and worldwide. Since the Team’s creation in 1965 the Red Arrows have flown over 4000 displays in 53 countries. Today the Red Arrows are renowned throughout the world acting as ambassadors for Great Britain when displaying overseas.
The Territorial Army and 1 Rifles:
This year the TA performed in the main arena. The show took place twice on each of the three days at the Fiesta.
Taking part at the Fiesta included: The Rifles, 39 Signal Regiment, 243 Field Hospital, 100 Field Squadron (Royal Monmouthshire), 26th Military Intelligence Corps, Royal Marines Reserve, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Auxiliary Air Force and The Royal Navy. Cadets representing all three services were present.
Night Glow
The famous Night Glow was back again with an extra special performance to celebrate the Fiesta’s 30th anniversary.
Under coded instructions via radio communication, the pilots create a variety of dazzling effects from only three main commands: burn, flicker and flash. These astounding sequences were set to a special music mix.
An impressive array of sequences are expertly choreographed to the rhythm of the music and the atmospheric display leads to a dramatic finale - a magnificent firework display, put together by Bristol-based company Skyburst. Energetic and awe-inspiring, it was night to remember!
Model Balloons
Following the success of last year’s model balloon display, this year we made it even bigger. These hand-made miniature hot air balloons are approximately 1/50th of the volume of a regular hot air balloon but are just as entertaining. Ranging anywhere from 12ft - 30ft, they come in a variety of amusing and wonderful shapes and sizes and are a sight to behold - unmanned and radio remote controlled from the ground. This year we have a whole host coming to the Fiesta including a dog, elephant, bear, ladybirds…and even a lighthouse!
Paramania
This year Paramania was back; the aero-acrobatics show which some of you saw at last year’s fiesta.
The show involved an impressive Parabatix Aerial Display and should be even more impressive than last year’s awesome show.
Chariots of Fire
There was another performance this year from the famous stunt carriage driving display team. Up to seven ponies soared over jumps and through fire at breakneck speeds!
The skill and speed of the various formations enthral the crowd every time, with driving of hair’s breadth accuracy, skill and verve. An original, unique and breathtaking performance full of excitement and exhilaration
Flying Gunners
The fantastic motorcycle display team were back with yet more death defying antics! The team of thirty expert stunts motorcyclists performed jumps whilst on their bikes, drawing gasps from the audience!
Rockin’ Horse
Coming from the Russian Cossack School of Trick & Stunt Riding, the Rockin’ Horse team have over twenty years of experience at thrilling audiences worldwide with their acrobatic horse-back stunts
I would loved to have read this post if I could see it clearly.
Pollyana,
Copy the text into word and change the font size to read clearly, just a thought! [;)]
why should you need to do that?
surely there should be a minimum font size by default [:^)]
May be so, I’m just offering solutions![;)]
Alternatively you could go to view in your browser (top left third menu in), assuming IE 5,6
View
Text size
and select larger text size…
Sorted.
I shall make it… Not far from new home
Cataracts developing. Too small print not easy to read, thats why.
OK that worked a treat, thanks for the suggestion.
Hi Burton
We are Jerry and Karen, ACs for Western area. We understand you are planning a trip to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta in August. Wondered if you wanted to meet up for a run on the Sunday, one of our members was going to organise a run and thought it might interest you, but not sure how long you were planning to be around. Have sent emails to Jill Round and yourself recently but have received no reply. Perhaps you’re on holiday. Have tried to find the post on the club website but only came up with this one. We can be contacted by club email or on jeremy.gann@btinternet.com
We have our area meeting tonight 8 July, so will confirm if this is going ahead.
Jerry and Karen
Hi Jerry and Karen
Nice to talk to you the other day. Hopefully we will be able to see you when we are in Bristol. Look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Mummy [:)]