Topic: Balloons over Waikato 2009
Topic Type: Event
Nancye Corden's impressions of the Night glow at the University of Waikato on Saturday, 28th March
I decided to walk to the University for the Night Glow to avoid any parking problems. After a brisk half hour walk, I met up with my friends at 4pm. Already families were arriving with deck chairs and rugs. We found a good spot and spread our rug. We had taken a picnic tea so settled back to enjoy ourselves. The early entertainment was for the children and it was lovely watching them all doing the bird dance and Simon says, etc. Time passed quickly with the music and people watching. We ate our tea and wished we hadn't taken it, with all the wonderful smells of food cooking. It was organised so much better this year - plenty of food outlets so no long queues. The sausage sizzle was right behind us. Terrible!
By now the sun was setting and some of the balloons were partially inflating. There was a large black one and as it was inflating, it looked like a huge prehistoric beast rising up out of the ground. Gradually all the balloons, 18 that we could see, were standing at attention and the crowd kept coming. The birthday cake was in the front, the ladybird on the right and the turtle at the back. While all this was going on we were told we were listening to ‘inflation music'. We had to stand at this time because everyone was standing in front but we still had a good view. And then the moment everyone was waiting for. The music got louder and the flares got brighter. Quite an awesome sight and perfect conditions. Every now and then the turtle's head would peep around the birthday cake and he looked as if he was saying "hey what about me?" It went on for a good 5-10 minutes and then the fireworks started. Just amazing. All too soon it was over and the oldies and young families started to leave. It was 8.30pm and Earth hour had begun. I walked home and the traffic was so organised. Plenty of buses. I walked in my door at 9pm and felt I had had a good days outing at no cost.
Watch a Waikato Times video of the Night Glow on their website.
Scenes from the first morning of the Balloons Over Waikato festival - another Waikato Times video.
