Hoot air professor set for Wairarapa

Owlbert Eyenstein will take to the skies for the 2016 Wairarapa Balloon Festival. Photo / Supplied

Owlbert Eyenstein, the professor of hot air, is the first special-shape hot air balloon guest announced to take to the skies during the 2016 Wairarapa Balloon Festival, February 25-29.

The 30.5 metre tall balloon which was built last year in Brazil has an envelope weight of 250 kilograms and will fly New Zealand skies for the first time at the festival.

It will be one of 25 featured balloons including a second special-shape balloon which is yet to be announced.

Festival chairman Jonathan Hooker said he was thrilled to confirm the attendance of Owlbert and predicts Owlbert will be a huge drawcard for festival-goers.

"This enormous, special-shape balloon is going to excite the crowd," he said.

"Owlbert will certainly get noticed and he'll capture the imagination of everyone.

"He stands at 30.5 metres tall or 100 feet which makes him 43 times taller than a real life owl!"

Owlbert will be flown by Gary Moore, a certified commercial hot air balloon pilot with more than 1400 hours of balloon flying experience in over 17 countries.

The Wairarapa Balloon Festival programme will be be released within the month and will feature a week of balloon lift-offs and family-fun entertainment at various venues throughout the region.

Like previous years it will feature the Trust House Night Glow on Saturday, February 27, where family entertainment is provided and tethered balloons light up the night sky.

Mr Hooker says it will be the biggest and best festival yet and he encourages everyone to join in the fun.