Hot Air Balloon Festivals (Fiestas)
Every year hot air balloon festivals (or fiestas) are held that give a chance for hot air balloonists to gather together and for the general public to participate in the spectacle of seeing lots of balloons being launched at the same time.
The dangers of the sport include excessive (vertical or horizontal) speed during landing, entangling high voltage power lines and mid-air collisions that may collapse the balloon.
In the United States, hot air balloon pilots must have an FAA license. In the United Kingdom a Private Pilots Licence issued by the CAA.
Some of the larger festivals from around the world are:
- Adirondack Balloon Festival - Held annually in upstate New York; includes event schedule, lodging and dining information.
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - Annual event held every fall. Images, tourist information, news.
- Atlantic Balloon Fiesta - About the festival held in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada. Includes photos, FAQ, and event information.
- Balloon Show Czech Republic - Pilots from the Czech Republic will meet for a week of ballooning on an annual basis. In English and Czech.
- Ballunar Liftoff Festival - Held at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. Includes schedule of events, pilot information and application, map, and area details.
- Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - Details, photo gallery, programme listings for large balloonists' gathering held at Ashton Court every August.
- Colorado Springs Balloon Classic - Annual event held in Colorado Springs. Includes photos, merchandise, schedule, newsletter, and previous winners.
- 2003 Coors Light Balloon Fest - Details about this event with advance ticket sales information and a schedule of events.
- Eyes to the Sky Balloon Festival - Annual Fourth of July Festival includes hot air balloon launches, musical entertainment, an arts and crafts fair, a variety of food vendors, a large carnival and an assortment of daily events.
- Fiesta Praha - About the festival held over Prague.
- Great Forest Park Balloon Race - About the race held in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. Includes schedule, history, and contest information.
- The Great Reno Balloon Race - One of the largest balloon rallies in the United States. Information for pilots and volunteers, news, and photographs.
- High Plains Freedom Flight - The Freedom Flight is held annually each fall in McCook, Nebraska, hosting 10-25 hot air balloonists. History, program of events, pictures and location.
- Hillsboro Balloon Fest - Includes news and FAQs, schedule, and photo gallery. Held in Hillsboro, New Hampshire.
- Lift-Off Balloon Festival - Includes news, program of events, photographs, and contact information. Held in Cornwall, Ontario.
- National Balloon Classic - Includes event details, crew opportunities, sponsors, and pilot information. Held annually in Indianola, Iowa.
- New York State Festival of Balloons - Includes event schedule, pilot information, area details, and photographs from past events. Annual Labor Day weekend event in Dansville, New York.
- Northwest Connecticut Balloon Festival - Held annually the last weekend of June at the Goshen Fair Grounds, Connecticut. Hot air balloon rides, carnival rides, carnival food, crafts.
- Ogden Valley Balloon Festival - Annual event held in northern Utah. Event schedule, entertainment, application forms for volunteering and competitions, list of balloon pilots, location map and pictures.
- Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival - Annual event in Denver, Colorado. Includes schedule, volunteer information, and contact details.
- Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic - Information about the event including schedule, sign-up, and directions.
- Sunflower Balloon Fest - Annual event held on Mother's Day weekend in Anthony, Kansas.
- Telluride Balloon Festival - Takes place in early June. Telluride, Colorado.
- Wild Rogue Balloon Festival - Three-day event in Grants Pass, Oregon. Includes schedule, pilot list, and photographs from past events.
- York County Balloon Festival - York County, Pennsylvania. Schedule and prices.