CityLife

Balloon is all set to go up for hot city festival

BALLOONISTS from across Britain and Europe are preparing to take to the skies for the Manchester Hot Air Balloon Festival.

More than 30 balloons have already been confirmed to take part in the Heaton Park event on the weekend of June 17 and 18 - and more pilots are contacting the organisers every day.

Novelty shapes appearing at the Manchester Evening News-sponsored event will include a giant battery and the world's largest beer mug balloon.

Keith Coulter, the director of the event, said: "This will be a fantastic opportunity for the Manchester public to see hot air balloons close-up - and to take in the awesome size, colour and grace of craft that are normally only seen at a distance."

Balloons will glide over Manchester all weekend and some will be tethered in the park so that visitors can see them at close range.

The highlight of the festival will be on Saturday evening, which has been called the Magical Musical Glow Night - balloons will be tethered in the main arena after sunset and will glow and flicker in time with specially-choreographed music. There will also be a spectacular professional firework display. There will be entertainment for all the family at the weekend, including a funfair, a licensed bar, trade stalls, birds of prey displays and professional children's entertainers.

Co-ordinator

Jennie Wright, entertainment co-ordinator, said: "As well as the hot air balloons, we have a great selection of other attractions, including some of the largest kites in Britain and music throughout the weekend."

Visiting for the first time will be the Parabatix Display Team, who will hover over the park using giant fans and parachutes.

Dr David Bareford, double world champion and treble European champion balloonist, will also at the event, with the other members of the British Hot Air Balloon Team.

He will promote ballooning as a sport and use the event as an opportunity to sharpen his flying skills before the world championships in Japan.

He said: "The British Hot Air Balloon Team are very excited about visiting Manchester. They will be practicing in what is a new area for many of them, with fresh landscapes and different flying challenges."