Bristol Balloon Fiesta returns with first mass ascent

Balloons have taken to the skies above Bristol as the International Balloon Fiesta returns in full force after three years.

Fans were up early to see 63 balloons set off from Ashton Court shortly after 06:30 BST.

The fiesta is entering its second day and the ascent comes after Thursday evening's flight was called off due to "unpredictable wind conditions".

More than 100 hot air balloons are expected to take flight over four days.

Organisers hosted Fiesta Flypasts in previous years when mass gatherings were discouraged due to the pandemic.

In 2019 the mass ascents were cancelled due to bad weather.

More than 500,000 people are expected to attend the free, four-day event.

Locations across Bristol saw crowds gather to watch the spectacular sight, including at Bedminster Down. Steve Sage and his wife Ali Sage were joined by their friend Steve Laing.

Mr Sage said: "I've been watching the fiesta for 40 years, I used to come and watch it with my late father in law. It is an incredible sight, means the world, it's a 10/10 event."

A crowd of some 300 people gathered at Bedminster Down to watch the early morning rise. The wind direction meant they had clear sight of the balloons floating off towards Long Ashton.

Many in the crowd said how joyful it was to see the balloons rising.

Phillipa Bate, from Bedminster, said for her the event was emotional because it reminded her of times she used to come and see it with her late parents.

She said: "All my life I have been watching the balloons. It was a shame that it couldn't happen the last couple of years, but I am just really glad that it's on now.

"It means everything, it is quite an emotional thing for me.

"I remember when I used to come with my parents, it is emotional to remember that and think of them.

"We usually go up to the estate but this year we decided not to because the shuttle buses aren't working and we didn't want to get stuck in any queues."

Tom and Melissa Jackson, from Blackwell, said to them the balloons represented Bristol.

Tom said: "It is just the most Bristol event, something everyone should see and what people always associate with Bristol.

"This morning has been great, the balloons have gone up at a good pace to keep the kids entertained and it's the perfect morning to watch it."

Melissa added: "It's the excitement of not knowing if they're going to go up, where they will go, what the weather will do."

The organisers have apologised for the 10 minute delayed entry into Ashton Court that was partly due to two accidents on the roads near Ashton Court.

They said they had also experienced record numbers of cars to watch the morning ascent.

For the remainder of the festival the car park gates will open at 05:00.

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