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This years Balloons Over Basingstoke starts today with the promise of excellent  weather for the whole weekend. This morning I was among a lucky few who had a Balloon trip over Basingstoke. We arrived at a very early 5.30am for the 6.00am launch and had the flight briefing. My pilot for the flight was Alan from Charter Ballooning.
The balloon I had my flight is a Kubicek 90, and the only one in the UK. Balloons are hand made and many are manufactured in the UK with the manufacturer being Cameron Balloons. I was required to help with inflating the balloon. Not with my own hot air I might add. We launched at approx 6.30am and had the benefit this morning of excellent weather.  Clear blue skies and a very light wind. This was my first flight in a balloon, and what an experience. Everything was so clear and there was such a different perspective on the town when up in a balloon. You are able to see the different areas of the town and it shows how much green spaces we have. We flew across the town and landed in South Ham, and even though it doesn’t sound like we went very far the flight lasted an hour. It was magical and over far too quickly. However I did manage to get a large number of photos many of which will appear on the site. With 11 other balloons around us it really showed what an excellent event this is. The event gets underway fully tonight with a series of activities culminating at approx 9.45pm with the sensational Nightglow. This is compared by 2TEN FM and features a number of tethered balloons, lighting up their burners. All choreographed to music with lasers and pyrotechnics. The activities will continue on Saturday and Sunday with an impressive line-up of fun and entertainment for all the family, set against a backdrop of tethered balloons. Breathtaking arena acts including the Skydiving Spectaculars, Battling Cumberland Giants and No Limitz motorcycle display will entertain the crowds. Other attractions will include children’s craft workshops, a funfair, side stalls, inflatables, dance and gym displays, an inflatable penalty shoot out, street theatre and much more.
At 6am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday mass balloon launches will take place for people to enjoy and admire. The launches will be subject to weather conditions.
Gates for Nightglow event will open at 6pm with the show scheduled for approximately 9.45pm, subject to weather and light conditions. Activities on the Saturday and Sunday will run from 12pm to 6pm, complemented by the 6am and 6pm mass balloon launches.
A park and ride from the Old Common will be available at a charge of £3. Accessible parking, wheelchairs and Shopmobility buggies will be available at the War Memorial Park.
For more information contact the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Contact Centre on 01256 844844 or visit http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/leisure/events/_balloons.htm
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