Eight independent Bristol food and drink businesses have been given the chance to sell to thousands of potential customers at this year’s Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
The fledgling traders have been selected to take part in a new scheme launched this year by the iconic event’s organisers, which aims to give unrivalled exposure to local firms while also widening the offer to visitors. 
Under the Bristol Launching Bursary, the eight businesses will each receive a significantly discounted pitch at this year’s fiesta, which takes place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August
Bringing a taste of indie Bristol to the event will be Bake My Day, I Scream Taco, Bishopston Bagels, Soul Bowl, Gopal’s Curry Shack, Indian Summer and Afista Barista.
They will be joined by Chameleon Spray, which will enable visitors to experience the power of colour transformation, with every surface – from uPVC to steel – becoming a canvas for personalised expression.
The bursary scheme is part of plans to step up the fiesta’s support for Bristol’s economy through initiatives that provide a platform for community causes.
This includes selecting Bristol-based Love Squared, which provides SEN (special educational needs) and mental health support, education and mentoring to children and young people in Bristol and the South West, as this year’s official fiesta charity.
Love Squared will be on-site raising awareness of its invaluable work, while also urging the hundreds of thousands of attendees to help its critical fundraising efforts.
In the lead-up to the event, the charity is calling on Bristol residents to consider volunteering to maximise its reach and engage visitors over the fiesta weekend.
Love Squared chief executive Cristie McMurray said: “We’re incredibly excited to have been chosen by the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta as its 2024 charity partner and grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness of our vitally important work.
“We’re a small charity supporting young people impacted by mental health, and their families at a time when services are at breaking point but to continue with this, we must raise funds and boost awareness.
“Love Squared puts love at the heart of everything, and we want to bring this to the Balloon Fiesta.
“To do this, we need help. We’re calling for people to join our Love Squad and help us raise funds to transform outcomes for families by providing listeners for teenagers in crisis, mentoring sessions for children experiencing social isolation and holiday activities for children with complex mental health and special educational needs.”
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta executive director Ben Hardy said it was vital to have local representation at the event.
“The fiesta has always been an event in Bristol, for Bristol and we believe that the introduction of the Bristol Launching Bursary and partnering with Love Squared underlines our commitment to engage with local businesses and community groups as much as possible.
“Through initiatives such as these, we can enrich the event experience for visitors, bringing a true representation of Bristol’s world-famous independent scene to the event, and underline the Fiesta’s commitment to championing the city, and it’s many communities.”
