X marks the spot
Hundreds soaked up the sight as the balloons took to the air for the start of Balloons Over Waikato
As the sun rose, so did the Balloons Over Waikato with a bright display of colours at Innes Common, Hamilton Lake.
The 18th year of the festival kicked off this morning with the mass ascension and plenty of spectators there to witness the sight.
Balloons rising for the mass ascension.
Hamilton’s Mayor Andrew King spoke over the loudspeaker encouraging people to “come down to the Night Glow on Saturday night”.
Hundreds of parents brought their kids out to watch the balloons take off before school. Queues of people waited for early morning hot drinks as the balloons took to the skies.
The 24 balloons started their ascent at 7.35am.
Balloonists were on the hunt for an ‘x’ to drop their sandbags on and win the race.
With six of the balloons being special shapes, it was a spectacular sight. The Piranha balloon seemed to draw the most attention from the public and it was the last balloon to take to the sky.
The first-timer Coca-Cola balloon went off on its own tangent in the opposite direction to the other competitors.
Inside the Rotary walk-through balloon. Photo: Aidan Sami
The Rotary walk-through balloon, set up for kids, was a big attraction. For a gold coin donation, it was a chance to see what it’s like inside a giant balloon, with all proceeds going to the Sunrise Rotary Club.
Hamilton local John Clulow has been running the balloon walk-through for the Rotary Club since 1989. Clulow says that thousands of people walk through every festival.
Balloons Over Waikato goes until Sunday, and includes a breakfast on Thursday at 7am with the Chiefs, and the ZURU Night Glow from 4pm on Saturday at Waikato University.
