Stage Area (stage to the left) Showground Area
Showground Area (rides, stalls, etc)
There were a number of attractions on during the day including parachuters, stunt motorbikes, etc. Then at dusk the Balloons enter the main arena and start setting up.
Parachuters
Motorbike Stunt Riders (biker above the pink shirted cameraman)
Unfortunately we did not get to see any balloons launch due to the high winds - too dangerous for the balloonists. But they did set up a number of the balloons nonetheless.
Filling the Balloons 1
Filling the Balloons 2
Filling the Balloons 3
Filling the Balloons 4
The size and shape of some of the balloons differed significantly, some shapes included animals, houses, shoes, mobile phones, etc. Sponsor $$$ dictate the shape basically. There were also many of the traditional shaped balloons also.
Various Shaped Balloons fighting to stay up in the wind
A Big Red Double Decker Bus
Once Evening settled in, the temperature dropped significantly, and so did the wind. Hence they were able to set up the balloons again for the Night Glow.
It is quite impressive as each balloon is tethered to the ground, but the gas operators in each balloon are radio linked to the music beats, so the beat of the music is matched with different balloons turning on their torches. It is synchronised quite well considering the size of the field, and about 20 balloons are in the field operating, along with a number of additional baskets around the perimeter to add to the glow effect.
Night Glow 1
Night Glow 2
All in all a very entertaining day, i wish i wore jeans not shorts though! our rug to sit on was made the most of wrapped around us to keep us mildly warm during the evening...
1 comment:
Fantastic Night shots of the balloons. Wish I could have been there.
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