More than 500,000 people attended this year’s four-day Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, making it the most popular ever and providing a perfect symbol for the city's high-flying aspirations.
The annual event has become a showcase for the city's balloon-making expertise as well as bringing global attention and this year its most-famous business in the industry, Cameron Balloons, celebrated its 40th anniversary by building a hot air balloon on site.
The demonstration of the manufacturing process culminated yesterday afternoon when the balloon was inflated in the arena.
Organisers of this year's event, called the 2011 Collett Transport Services Fiesta following a competition to select a sponsor, are hailing it a huge success despite changeable weather.
A total of 339 flights took place with a spectacular 96 hot air balloons gracing the Bristol skyline yesterday morning.
Thursday's Marriott Bristol Night Glow, which took A Night at the Movies as its theme, Saturday evening's mass ascent and the Goodridge Night Glow and dazzling firework display where among the highlights, according to organisers, along with the Red Arrows' display.
Fiesta organising committee chairman Muir Moffat said: “It turned out to be a magnificent Fiesta, far exceeding our expectations at the start of the week. Everyone worked incredibly hard to put on this show and it was fantastic that we were able to get so many balloons into the air.
"We’d like to thank everyone for their support which makes it all worthwhile – the visitors, our partners, our 100 Club members and suppliers.
“Sunday morning’s mass ascent was magical with so many balloons taking to the skies from Ashton Court and was a fitting tribute to Don Cameron, the man who has done so much to make Bristol synonymous with hot air ballooning.”
