Less than a week before Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2019, we are looking into what will make this edition different.
Icons of Bristol music from BBC Radio Bristol will accompany the much beloved Balloon Fiesta Night Glow events, among other attractions announced by the organisers.
We asked Ian Martin, one of the organisers, how they plan to awe both new visitors and all-time fans.
And he revealed what the best attractions of the festival will be this year.
Ian also mentioned that they are launching a festival app. By downloading and using it, participants will be able to keep track of the schedule on the go.
Musical Soundscape To Impress
The all-time favourite Balloon Fiesta Night Glow will send hot air balloon shapes radiating against night skies.
It's not difficult to see why such displays attract crowds. Check out these images we've captured at the fiesta in 2016.
The Night Glow events will happen on Thursday, August 8, and Saturday, August 10, with the Icons of Bristol music in the background.
BBC Radio Bristol will provide the music mix to accompany the view. The likes of Concord, Wallace & Gromit, and George Ezra feature among the artists on the radio waves for these evenings.
Also, artists such as Amber Dee, Nia Nicholls, Rebecca Hosking, David Willmott, and Phoenix River Band will keep the music flowing at the live bandstand.
From Model Building To Sports Coaching
Did the mention of Wallace & Gromit catch your attention? If so, you might be delighted to find more of them at the fiesta.
The Aardman model-making workshops, run by their experts, will show participants how to make their clay models.
They will then be able to take their version of characters from Chicken Run or Shaun the Sheep home.
Sports fans might find the presence of the local rugby team exciting.
The Bristol Bears will intermingle with the crowds and offer coaching and activities to young people.
100 Hot Air Balloons In The Sky
While the variety of activities enhances the good vibes of the event, the most fascinating and beloved part of such a festival remains the mass launches of over 100 balloons.
Our pilot Nobby (Mark Simmons), who has been participating for three decades, will take Virgin Balloon Flights passengers up above Bristol every morning and evening.
Keep an eye on our social media for fresh updates from the fiesta next week.
