Multitude of hot air balloons ascend into Bristol's skyline
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2021 kicked off on Friday morning at Ashton Court Estate, with the opening ceremony marking the start of a spectacular three-day event. The skies above Bristol were filled with over 130 hot air balloons, representing countries from around the globe, including the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Italy, and France.
One of the highlights of the day was a mass ascent, where over 90 hot air balloons took to the skies. Among the pilots was commercial balloon pilot Tom Hilditch, 35, from Brighton, who praised the "idyllic conditions" for the flight.
As the balloons ascended, one balloon carried a union flag, followed by dozens of other brightly colored balloons. The balloons flew over Bristol towards Bath, Somerset, painting a breathtaking picture in the sky.
In the evenings, the fiesta will feature night-glows, where dozens of tethered balloons light up in sync to a special musical soundtrack.
Tom Hilditch, who has had his pilot's licence for 13 years, expressed his excitement for the upcoming events. He plans to cycle around England next year, towing a hopper balloon to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta celebrates Bristol's heritage links to the world of hot air ballooning. Special shape balloons, including the Up balloon, Thomas the Tank Engine, Sonic the Hedgehog, Astro the Alien, Rupert the Bear, Oggy the Friendly Dragon (from America), Wallace & Gromit Moon Rocket, Buster and Bella the Bulldogs, Slither the Snake, Snow White, an Ordnance Survey Map, and BBC Globe, will be present at the event.
Despite the weather conditions being nice and slow, the winds were a bit too variable for finding a landing spot. Nevertheless, the event promises to be a spectacle not to be missed, with early morning and evening balloon takeoffs (weather permitting) scheduled throughout the weekend.
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will run until Sunday, offering a fantastic opportunity for locals and visitors alike to witness the beauty of hot air balloons against the backdrop of Bristol's stunning landscape.
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