This years Balloons Over Basingstoke was a fantastic success with excellent weather for the whole weekend. Each morning and evening a lucky few had a Balloon trip over
I was one of those lucky few and had a trip on Friday morning. I had to arrive very early at 5.30am for the 6.00am launch and had the flight briefing.
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 just outside Sherbourne St John, 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 all the other balloons around us it really showed what an excellent event this is.
The event got underway fully on Friday night with another mass Balloon launch followed by 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.
Activities continued on Saturday and Sunday with an impressive line-up of fun and entertainment for all the family. 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 took place for people to enjoy and admire.
