Up, up and away: The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
In the early morning light nearly 100 hot air balloons lifted off over the skies of Bristol, England as part of the 34th annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. The event is one of Europe’s largest balloon functions taking place in the city seen by many as the home of modern ballooning.
The meeting takes place in the hills of Ashton Court located outside Bristol. Around a half a million people from across the country and beyond come to the Fiesta according to event officials.
- A balloonist prepares a hot air balloon as balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take part in a illuminated night glow at Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take part in a illuminated night glow at Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. Now in its 34th year, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest annual hot air balloon event. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take part in a illuminated night glow at Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. Now in its 34th year, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest annual hot air balloon event in the city that is seen by many balloonists as the home of modern ballooning. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- A balloonist fires his burners as balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take to the early morning skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- A silhouetted balloonist prepares a hot air balloon as balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. The early morning flight of nearly 100 balloons over the city was the first mass ascent of the four-day Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes such as this one in the form of a bulldog take to the skies from Ashton Court at (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- A hot air balloon flies from Ashton Court over houses at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. The fiesta is Europe’s largest annual hot air balloon event, in the city that is seen by many balloonists as the home of modern ballooning. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- A mass of hot air balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons in many forms, such as this woodpecker, take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Hot air balloons take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- Balloons silhouetted in the morning light take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. The early morning flight of nearly 100 balloons over the city was the first mass ascent of the four-day Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
- A mass of balloonists prepare hot air balloons as they take to the skies from Ashton Court at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)