Lollipop ascends at Hamilton’s annual Balloon Festival
One balloon was particularly sweet for a family at the Balloons Over Waikato mass ascension.
Hamilton’s Innes Common saw thousands of spectators rise early on Wednesay morning for the annual Balloons over Waikato Mass Ascension. There were 24 balloons, including six special characters, on show but a little zippy one rose above the rest for one family.
Five-year-old Lani Tafuna especially likes a colourful balloon called Lollipop.
Lani’s mum, Sarah Tafuna, explained that Lollipop is flown by the family’s favourite pilot, “Aunty Gail”.
“She’s my sister-in-law’s aunty and we started coming to the balloons to watch her and just got obsessed,” Tafuna said.
The Tafunas have made attending a tradition for the last eight years. Sarah Tafuna said that the festival is a unique opportunity Hamiltonians should take advantage of. “We just love coming to the balloons,” she said.
A particularly memorable visit to the balloons was a few years ago when Aunty Gail helped Tafuna cross “ride in a balloon” off her bucket list.
“It’s the most magical experience just being up in the sky and floating. It’s exactly what you think it’ll be.”
Ten-year veteran pilot “Aunty Gail” Dryland echoes Tafuna’s sentiments when describing this morning’s flight. “It was beautiful and peaceful. Like you’re sailing in the sky with lots of balloons to look at,” Dryland said.
She got to see the balloons up close as she raced them to drop sand bags on two different markers. Dryland said she got the first one “bang on”, but missed the second one.
Tafuna spoke of her aunty’s competitive nature.
“If there’s a prize up for grabs she’s in it to win it,” Tafuna said. “We’re her biggest fans!”
