August 17, 2016August 20, 2016 By Mark Comment Closed The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons, attracting over 150 Hot Air Balloons from across the world. And it’s free! Parachutists provide some arena entertainment while people wait for the main event. Visit http://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/ for more information.Parachutists provide some arena entertainment while people wait for the main event.Parachutists provide some arena entertainment while people wait for the main event. Parachutists provide some arena entertainment while people wait for the main event.Mid afternoon and the crowds are slowly gathering as people claim their space.Mid afternoon and the crowds are slowly gathering as people claim their space.Mid afternoon and the crowds are slowly gathering as people claim their space.A lone balloon takes off to test the conditions before the go-ahead for a mass lift is given.A lone balloon takes off to test the conditions before the go-ahead for a mass lift is given.Balloons prepare for the mass lift.Balloons prepare for the mass lift.Balloons prepare for the mass lift.Balloons prepare for the mass lift.Balloons prepare for the mass lift.The mass lift begins.The mass lift begins.The mass lift begins.The mass lift begins.The mass lift begins.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.The mass lift.Sadly, this is not my photo as I was unable to stay around for the this particularly impressive part of the Fiesta known as the ‘Nightglow’. At 9pm a small number of balloons remain tethered and light up the night’s sky to a specially commissioned soundtrack, ‘Bristol’s Glowing’, followed by a firework display. See a taster on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0e5KoYV4j8o