Features / Bristicles
15 things you probably didn’t know about Bristol Balloon Fiesta
The world-renowned Bristol Balloon Fiesta is here once again to transform Ashton Court into an outdoor spectacular of kooky shapes and vivid colours. We’ve searched high and low for some fun ballooning facts – and we promise we’re not full of hot air.
i. The founder of Bristol’s Cameron Balloons, Don Cameron, is not only a world-famous balloonist, but was also the first man to cross the Sahara in a hot air balloon.
ii. It is possible to fly hot air balloons in wet weather, but the Great British rain gets caught in the envelope (the balloon part itself) and proceeds to give the pilot a warm shower.
iii. Cameron thought up the idea for the Balloon Fiesta with a group of friends from the Bristol Junior Chamber in a pub in Clifton.
iv. The annual fiesta is now internationally recognised as Europe’s largest ballooning festival.
v. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is shut every year for the nightglow events, as it can only hold a maximum of 200 pedestrians at one time and any more could cause serious structural damage.
vi. This year, Bailey Balloons of Bristol will be showcasing the all-new Belvoir Fruit Farms balloon, which is in the shape of a drop.
vii. A balloon generally takes six weeks to make, but it can be longer for more specialist artwork.
viii. Cameron was co-creator of the Bristol Belle, the world’s first modern hot air balloon.
ix. Cameron believes the most memorable balloon he’s ever made was a dinosaur. This was created when the company first installed a specialist computer-aided design system that allowed more complex shapes.
x. Around 150 balloons flew at the festival last year, 100 or so made by Cameron Balloons.
xi. This year’s fiesta will see a world record attempt to try and get as many single person balloons as possible in the air at the same time.
xii. The event has been held every year since 1979, but in 2018, Bristol City Council will be asking the festival to pay for the use of Ashton Court for the first time ever.
xiii. Cameron Balloons made the divisive 2013 ‘skywhale’ hot air balloon, designed by sculptor Patricia Piccinini, which featured a large hybrid animal with udders in the place of wings.
xiv. Bailey Balloons will have a real basket for fiesta-goers to clamber in and out of at this year’s festival.
xv. Some of Cameron Balloons’ more unusual designs have included Rupert the Bear, Stuart the Minion and an Air Force jet fighter helmet.
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