We have lift off

Aug 29 2008 by Kevin Hughes, Flintshire Chronicle

The magic of hot air balloons will once again draw thousands to the Vale of Llangollen this weekend, as the 12th annual Llangollen Hot Air Balloon Festival lifts off.

And this year there will be even more magnificent balloons than ever before – appropriately on the 225th anniversary of the first manned balloon flight in 1783.

So far, 24 balloons are scheduled to be at the event which starts tonight, with a party to celebrate the 100th birthday of Llangollen Town Football Club.

That will feature up to 20 balloons taking off – the others are scheduled to arrive on Saturday – as well as live music featuring local bands and top of the bill Calansho from Cardiff, a funfair and food and drink between 6pm and 11pm.

The two-day festival proper takes place on Saturday and Sunday (August 30 and 31) and there is an additional, personal element this year in organiser David Green's case – he is now a qualified balloon pilot himself which entitles him to use the title “Captain”.

“I won’t go that far,” he says: “But it has given me a bit more credibility with the other balloon pilots and to tell the truth, I was hooked the first time I went up two years ago.

“There’s just something about balloons – you just can’t ignore them. I defy anyone not to look up in wonder when they see a balloon overhead.

“And this year is going to bigger and better with more balloons than ever and it will be a great day out for all the family with something for everyone.”

Highlight of the weekend will be the “son et lumerie” of the Saturday nightglow when the balloons will gather above the site and switch their burners on to the accompaniment of live music to create an awesome spectacle.

Elsewhere there are balloon tethering displays, motorcycle displays, falconry and a larger than ever children’s area featuring workshops and games.

This year the pavilion will again host the UK’s only indoor model hot air balloon festival with remote-controlled hot air balloons, complete with gas burners, inside the Pavilion.

There will also be a large craft fair, funfair, amusements and a host of stalls including food and drink stands.

For further information check out www.hotairballoonfestival.co.uk or call 0870 232 4256.