Hot air balloons are being launched from five separate locations across Bristol at the same time this morning.
The event, which forms part of the Balloon Fiesta’s Fiesta Fortnight, marks the first time ever that balloons have been set off from multiple sites in the city in unison.
Balloons will fly from Queen Square in the city centre, Hanham Common in Hanham, Merchants’ Academy in Withywood and Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe. Lift-off began at around 6am today (Wednesday, August 11).
READ MORE:Best pictures from Balloon Fiesta’s first morning flypast
This is the second event as part of Fiesta Fortnight, which runs between August 2-15 and acts as a replacement for the traditional Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which was scrapped for the second year running because of coronavirus.
Last Wednesday, around 30 balloons set off from Elm Park in Filton and we live-streamed the journey.
Elm Park, as well as Hanham Common, Merchants’ Academy and Bridge Learning Campus, were all nominated as lift-off locations by local residents. In total there were 700 nominations from people all over Bristol, with organisers choosing their favourites.
Chris Allcock, chairman of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, said: “This special edition of the fiesta is going to be something spectacular for the city and we are so thankful to Costa Coffee for partnering with us to help this happen.
“There were some clear winners and favourite locations for balloons to fly from, highlighted from the hundreds of suggestions from Fiesta fans.”
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates, and head to our Facebook page where one of our reporters is live-streaming from a balloon at Queen Square.
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