Lift-off over Hamilton
The special shape balloons got most of the attention, but there was plenty more for spectators to enjoy as Balloons Over Waikato got under way.
The most awaited balloons are finally flying all over Waikato.
The skies of Hamilton embraced the ascension of 24 balloons of different colours and shapes on Wednesday at 7.30am.
For the past 18 years, thousands of people have been coming to Balloons Over Waikato. Every year the festival brings in special character balloons. This year, the thunder was stolen by the Buddy Beaver, the Wizard and the most popular of all, the Piranha.
The Resene balloon family showered love in the air, the husband and wife (yes, the balloons are officially married) and their son who came with the message “stay in school”. The family was piloted by Jacob and his sons who came from Canada.
It was a similar story with two more balloons, with father Dave Norris, a landscape gardener who enjoys the challenge of flying, piloting the Dragon Fly and his son Nicholas riding the Dragon Heart.
Gail Dryland, a local dairy farmer, piloted the Lollipop, a balloon that was made at home. She trained to fly with the Hamilton Balloon Club.
At the venue was a miniature hot air balloon from the Waikato club. They showed people the mechanism of a hot air balloon at eye level. The club offers a junior balloon program, and according to Elliot Jessop, who started flying 10 years ago when he was just 12, the festival has inspired a lot of kids to enrol and enquire about the programme.
The festival runs until Sunday.
