Canberra Balloon Festival
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The Canberra Balloon Spectacular, formerly known as Canberra Balloon Festival, is a hot air balloon festival that takes place at the plush lawns of the old Parliament House of Canberra, Australia. Over 50 hot air balloons from all over the world launch daily at dawn from the forecourt of Old Parliament House and float over Canberra’s iconic national attractions. The balloons gradually inflate and transform into a myriad of shapes, sizes and colours before drifting gently into the dawn skies. Some of the unusual balloons that have participated in the festival in the past include a pair of dancing honey bees, Vincent Van Gogh’s head, a windmill, a tropical tree, a turtle and a Scottish bagpiper. The event is complete with on site entertainment, activities and food and drink.
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[edit] History
The festival began in 1986. It is one of Australia’s best Autumn Events. The main theme of this event is balloons of numerous kinds and sizes. This event attracts up to almost 20,000 visitors. Alike the other festivals of Australia, this event too has various venues but the most popular location for Canberra Balloon Spectacular is the foreground of Old Parliament House. The viewers look into the spectacular sky filled with balloons of various sizes and designs, making up beautiful patterns in the open air. Novotel has been sponsored the Canberra Balloon Spectacular for some years. Numerous hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes fill the sky above Old Parliament House, which is clearly visible from all the high rise establishments of Canberra. Skilled balloon pilots and crews from various parts of Australia and the world participate in the Canberra Balloon Spectacular.
The 2011 Canberra Balloon Spectacular will this year be held over 9 days from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 March 2011.
[edit] Location
The balloons launch from the forecourt of Canberra's Old Parliament House and you can see hot air balloons of varying shapes, sizes and nationalities drifting into Canberra's early morning sky.
