Balloon Events Coming Up..

Balloon events from major festivals of 100 balloons to small gatherings of a dozen or so are held throughout the country during the year. These events usually feature, weather permitting, mass ascents morning and evening. Those open to the public often offer a nightglow 'spectacular'.

To enjoy viewing the balloons at the events, here are some useful tips...

• Do take a camera
• Do wear layers of clothes it is often quite cool in the early mornings in the UK
• Do wear flat and comfy shoes or boots
• Do go early (often balloons take off at about 7AM & 6PM in the UK Summer time)
• Do buy a programme and spot the different balloons in the guide pages, see Balloon Spotting.
• Do bring something to do during the day (if there are not organised events for the public...)
• Do smile and wave to the balloonists
• Do watch a local weather report and if it is going to be very windy or there are gales, fog, thunder and lightening then do something else!
• Do take a picnic or snacks...
• Do park vehicles considerately with access and thoroughfares kept clear, when watching balloons anywhere...
• Do bring the family, balloon events are often aimed at the whole family with fun shows, trade stands and events during the day in between the balloon flight times

UK Balloon Event Listing - Forthcoming Events

(Click here for the full season)

May 2008
Kirkby Lonsdale Balloon Meet
	Location: Dates: Organiser: Website: Notes:	Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club Sat 10th May 2008 - Mon 26th May 2008 North West Balloon and Airship Club www.nwbac.com	Ascents:	Fri (PM) Sat (AM) Sat (PM) Sun (AM) Sun (PM) Mon (AM)
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2nd Bowood House Balloon Meet
	Location: Dates: Organiser: Website: Notes:	Bowood House, Wiltshire Sat 24th May 2008 - Mon 26th May 2008 CP Events 2nd Bowood Balloon Festival is to be held 24th - 26th May 2008 at Bowood House, Calne, Wiltshire within 'Capability' at Brown's glorious parklands. Bowood House is a stately home that is also a family home and that mix of historical treasures in well loved surroundings gives this Georgian House a unique charm felt by everyone who visits. The Lansdowne family have lived at Bowood since 1754. Friday is Press Day, Saturday will only be open to the public from 5.30 for the evening flight, entertainment, nightglow and fireworks. Sunday and Monday the event will be open to the public from 12.30pm until about 7.00pm.	Ascents:	Sat (AM) Sat (PM) Sun (AM) Sun (PM) Mon (AM) Mon (PM)
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GP-Light One
	Location: Dates: Organiser: Website: Notes:	Ludlow, Shropshire Sat 24th May 2008 - Mon 26th May 2008 BBAC Competitions Club www.ballooncomps.org.uk The first event of the GP series, GP-Light One will be a fun and social competition for pilots to practice their skills. New comers are encouraged and will be buddied with established pilots. Free gas, Free Maps and Free Entry to the first ten new entrants.	Ascents:	Sat (PM) Sun (AM) Sun (PM) Mon (AM)
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June 2008
GP-Light Two - The Sudeley Cup
	Location: Dates: Organiser: Website: Notes:	Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire Thu 12th Jun 2008 - Sun 15th Jun 2008 BBAC Competitions Club www.balloon.tv The second event in the GP Series will be a fun event with prizes donated by all manufacturers as well as cash prize money. Free gas is available for the first 20 applicants on first come first served basis. Flying will take place on Thursday and Friday evenings (fun flying), competitive flights on Saturday AM and PM, Sunday AM with a prize grab flight on the Sunday PM A fun and social competition for pilots to practice their skills. New comers are encouraged and will be buddied with established pilots. Free gas, Free Maps and Free Entry to the first ten new entrants. Further information from fly@balloon.tv	Ascents:	Thu (PM) Fri (PM) Sat (AM) Sat (PM) Sun (AM) Sun (PM)
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Middlesborough Balloon Festival
	Location: Dates: Organiser: Website: Notes:	Stewarts Park Fri 27th Jun 2008 - Mon 30th Jun 2008 North West Balloon and Airship Club www.nwbac.com	Ascents:	Fri (PM) Sat (AM) Sat (PM) Sun (AM) Sun (PM) Mon (AM)
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July 2008
Burnley Balloon Meet
	Location: Dates: Organiser: Website: Notes:	Towneley Park, Burnley Fri 25th Jul 2008 - Sun 27th Jul 2008 North West Balloon and Airship Club www.nwbac.com	Ascents:	Fri (PM) Sat (AM) Sat (PM) Sun (AM) Sun (PM)
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Grand Prix Three
	Location: Dates: Organiser: Website: Notes:	Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire Sat 26th Jul 2008 - Sun 27th Jul 2008 BBAC Competitions Club www.ballooncomps.org.uk Pilots will compete for a place in the British Team attending the European Championships in France in 2009. Fiesta pilots and new entrants welcome. Free gas, Free maps and Free entry for the first ten new entrants.	Ascents:	Sat (AM) Sat (PM) Sun (AM)
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August 2008
Coniston Balloon Meet
	Location: Dates: Organiser: Website: Notes:	Coniston Fri 22nd Aug 2008 - Mon 25th Aug 2008 North West Balloon and Airship Club www.nwbac.com	Ascents:	Fri (PM) Sat (AM) Sat (PM) Sun (AM) Sun (PM) Mon (AM)
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September 2008
Grand Prix Four
	Location: Dates: Organiser: Website: Notes:	Lakeside Lodge, Pidley, Cambridgeshire Sat 27th Sep 2008 - Sun 28th Sep 2008 BBAC Competitions Club www.ballooncomps.org.uk This year a fourth GP event has been added to the series. The event will be used as a qualifying event if GP3 does not have sufficient flights, or as a logger only training event. Fiesta pilots and new entrants welcome. Free gas, Free maps and Free entry for the first ten new entrants.	Ascents:	Sat (AM) Sat (PM) Sun (AM)
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The above listings are maintained and provided by BBAC Ltd from information supplied by event orgainisers and other third parties. BBAC Ltd make no warranties and accepts no responsibility in respect of any subsequent loss in conjunction with these listings. See the full website terms & conditions.

To publicise your ballooning event email full details to balloon.events@bbac.org