Tue. Nov 12th, 2024

Bristol Balloon Fiesta Lifts Off

9-12th August 2012,Ashton Court Estate,Bristol

 Plans for the 34th Bristol Balloon Fiesta are in full swing, as the city prepares for the one of theUK’s top five outdoor events. Founded in 1978, the fiesta has become an icon forBristol, as synonymous with the city as Brunel’s famous Suspension Bridge.

The event recently gained national recognition by being shortlisted for theUK’s Tourism Event of the Year Award at the 2012 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. This follows the award of the top prize for Tourism Event of the Year at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards earlier this year.

Held in the rolling hills of Ashton Courton the edge of Bristol, it is a hugely popular free event, attracting around half a million people from across the country and beyond. The event takes place over four days and this year will be staged on 9-12th August 2012.

The event offers fantastic entertainment for the whole family. Over 100 balloons of all shapes and sizes provide an unforgettable spectacle as they take to the sky in mass ascents each morning and evening from Friday to Sunday.

Some of the largest crowds are drawn to the famous Night Glows on Thursday and Saturday evenings, when the balloons tether in the main arena and light up in sequence to music, like giant light bulbs.

This year will see a new addition to the Fiesta schedule as the Friday evening will showcase the SWIP Team, a pair of single-seat airplanes that have firework trails and coloured smoke flying from their wings, to create an unforgettable night-time performance.

Over 250 trade stands, local and international food stalls, a funfair and a variety of other entertainment complete the fun-packed festival. For more information, visit www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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