Night Glow burners among the crowd

Balloon-lovers got even closer to the action at this year’s ASB Night Glow.

Baskets and burners were placed amongst the audience in the University of Waikato grounds for the first time last Saturday night.

Flames whooshing out of balloonless baskets warned punters that the Night Glow was going to begin.

They continued to punctuate the show, warming up the nearby crowd, and provided the grand finale.

It was a personal highlight for Michele Connell, Balloons over Waikato’s general manager, who was thrilled to bring the glow closer to the public.

Darkness fell, and a roaring flame flared out of the burners throughout the University of Waikato grounds.

The Wai Taiko drummers’ beat urged on the inflation of the balloons, and the countdown began.
“Five… four… three… two…one.”
After a moment of expectant silence, the crowd of around 80,000 cheered as balloons lit up in sync with the beat of a mixed music track.

It was the moment of truth for Trevor Graham, the artistic director of the Night Glow and self-described “Token Pom”.

“Everything is sort of resting on your shoulders,” he said.

But he was prepared: he had created the music track, marked out where each balloon should be, and equipped each balloonist with a radio.

He directed them during the Glow, calling set patterns which balloonists had to produce.

In Graham’s experience, the routines generally go to plan, but “sometimes you get a few surprises.”

When the show finished, and the university grounds plunged back into darkness, the audience’s shouting and cheering let him know he had pulled off another spectacular show.

And he promises that next year’s will be bigger and better.

Debriefing for this year is under way, and highlighted the popularity of two new initiatives: the baskets in the crowd, and the flying display by the RNZAF Red Checkers.

A planning day for next year will be held in late April or at the start of June.