Topic: Balloons over Waikato 2002-2006
Topic Type: Topic
A splash of colour.
The Balloons over Waikato hot air balloon festival is a major icon on Hamilton's event calendar. It is New Zealand's premier hot air ballooning event, and Hamilton is proud to have been a part of Balloons over Waikato since 2002. It adds a little spice and colour to the lifestyle of Hamilton city. Balloons of every shape and colour inhabit the skies of the Waikato for a couple of weeks in April every year. Residents wake up to magical sights of balloons coming out of the fog or emergency landings in their front yards. Some families even have their own traditions where kids and parents follow the balloons all over town in their quest for adventure. Its an exciting time to be in Hamilton.
The hot air balloon festival was held at Innes Common and around Hamilton Lake until 2008. It then moved to the University.
Message from Glenda Saunders the Chairman of Balloons over Waikato Charitable Trust - taken from the Waikato Times, 7/5/08
Owned and organised by the Balloons over Waikato Charitable Trust, this five-day festival continues to attract balloonists from around New Zealand and the world. We welcome all national and international balloonists to Hamilton.
This year we will present the pilots and crews to Hamilton at a street parade. We appreciate the support of schools and the retailing community.
Our theme, `Magical Meadows' was chosen to complement the international floral festival, on a week before Balloons Over Waikato. We promise a spectacular event. The international competition will be exciting, with up to 10 balloons competing for the shield. This year we have partnered with Waikato University to put a tracking device in the competition balloons. We will watch their progress and position on a large screen at Innes Common.
Visits to selected towns throughout the Waikato to support local community initiatives and a different, highly-popular Scottwood Trust NightGlow are certain to impress and delight spectators.
We are extremely grateful for the high level of support from major sponsor Scottwood Trust. WEL Energy Trust's generous grant ensures admission to the event remains free. Additional support from Mighty River Power, The Radioworks, The Waikato Times, and many others featured in this programme makes it possible for us to stage this fabulous community event.
