‘Big Hugs’ for Hamilton mayor as annual Balloons over Waikato begins

Big Hugs and Copter Boy were among the special shapes at the event. Photo: Cory Brown

Balloons over Waikato began today with the Mass Ascension, which saw a myriad of colourful, diverse-shaped balloons take to the sky above Hamilton.

While clouds and a strong mist almost halted the festival, they cleared in time for a delayed 8.10am takeoff that was certainly worth the wait.

“It’s still got that magical fairy tale feel,”
Hamilton mayor Andrew King said. Photo: Ruby Nyika

Hamilton mayor Andrew King was there to set off the event at Innes Common.

“It’s almost fairy tale stuff,” he said.

“It brings families together, it brings children out–it’s just [the] magical excitement of a balloon hanging in the sky.”

King ascended on Big Hugs, one of the five special shapes that took off into the skies.

However, the iconic Hamilton balloon was the mayor’s favourite.

“[Whenever] I see it up in the sky, I ring up and I just thank them for going up because it’s just such a good thing for Hamilton.

“It brings people down from Auckland and all round Waikato.”

But it’s not just the locals that come to see the festival.

Wearing their pajamas with pride, Spencer and Micah
stand with Brittany as Big Hugs prepares
to take flight behind them. Photo: Ruby Nyika

American cousins Brittany Pizzuli, Spencer Graham, and Micah Powell drove down from Auckland in the early hours of this morning to catch the festival.

Spencer and Micah were still wearing their pajamas.

“I like the helicopter balloon,” Brittany said, “at first I thought it was going to be Captain America, but when I saw it I [was] like ‘that doesn’t make sense here!’

“Once [the balloons] started they were popping up everywhere, and I was like ‘wow, there’s a lot more here than I thought!'”

Balloons over Waikato will be held until March 26, with the popular Zuru Nightlow programme kicking off on Saturday night.