Fiesta fans are looking forward to two weeks of hot air balloon launches from all around Bristol for the city's first ever 'Fiesta Fortnight'. As a result of Covid-19, the usual Bristol Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court has not been possible this year, but people of Bristol are still encouraged to look to the skies this August!
Starting on Monday 2nd, expect to see launches over the city all the way through to the main fiesta weekend of 13-15th August, where lots of balloon teams are signed up to participate for every AM / PM slot.
As always, hot air ballooning is weather dependant; we need dry conditions with calm winds, and clear skies would be a bonus! Many different types of launches are planned including a press launch.
Fiesta organisers posted: "Monday 2nd August kicks off our Fiesta Fortnight… two weeks of spectacular ballooning fun all around the city. The good folk at Costa Coffee will be powering us up for this mammoth undertaking and our aim is to fit in as much ballooning activity as we possibly can for a whole fortnight.
The Costa: LIVE Experience Pod will be at the heart of the action in the city centre for you to try out their new Costa Express machines with both hot and iced drinks.
We’ve had OVER 700 requests from you for balloons to take off from your favourite spots, so expect to see some unlikely lift-off locations!
We’ll be keeping all our Fiesta Fans updated every step of the way, so keep an eye on our channels for the latest ballooning news."
Launch site locations will be kept secret to balloon teams only with the aim being for as many people to see the balloons as possible plus treating some communities that don't often see balloons fly over.
Join the Fiesta Fortnight Facebook group to stay up to date with "flight schedules and viewing points"
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We are looking forward to seeing the skies above the city once again filled with a range of hot air balloons as part of this special edition of the 43rd Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Ride balloons carrying paying passengers will also be taking part in selected lift-offs.
A number of special shape and add-on shape balloons are due to fly together from one of the planned fiesta launches. Bristol-built Stuart the Minion G-DMEZ operated by Airship & Balloon Company is confirmed to be attending. Other Minion G-DMES which was last seen at Bristol 2017 with Prison artwork has sadly been destroyed.
Exclusive Ballooning's Simbaloo the Lion / Adelaide the Koala are expected to make an appearance alongside the Panther and Wes the Wolf, plus others hopefully - we will have to wait and see what they are!
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Our Live Flight Updates will be paused during the main fiesta weekend of 13-15th August for both Ashton Court and Royal Victoria Park, but will be updated as normal during most of the fortnight for non fiesta related flights.
Follow us for the latest fiesta updates
We will be sharing all the very latest info and photos to our main Facebook and Twitter channels during the 2021 Fiesta Fortnight so you can plan your wake up call and know when to look out. All info will also be available on the main @bristolballoon channels. Now, let's hope for some good flying weather!