Balloons over Waikato celebrates 20 years after a wet start

The Resene's Proud to be Kiwi balloon inflating at Innes Common on Wednesday morning. Photo / Tom Rowland

Balloons over Waikato kicked off its 20th birthday celebration in style on Wednesday morning, with crowds flocking to see their favourite shapes once again at Innes Common.

The original launch was supposed to be on Tuesday, however due to wet weather the balloons were unable to fly.

On Wednesday, three crowd favourites, in Darth Vader, Betty Jean Butterfly and Resene's Proud to be Kiwi balloon, lifted off to the delight of the thousand strong crowd.

Event manager Michele Connell said she is thrilled to have three favourite special shapes from the last 20 years return for this year's fiesta.

"We are proud to be 20, and we are so excited to have some of our favourite balloons returning this year, with the popular Darth Vader, the stunning Betty Jean Butterfly and Resene's Proud to be Kiwi all coming back to us for a second visit," Ms Connell says.

On Thursday the balloon fun continues with the WEL Energy Trust Birthday Breakfast at Innes Common with the Gallagher Chiefs and then The First Credit Union Friday Festival.

On Friday evening, bring the family for dinner to the hot and fiery City Burn and Markets thanks to Hamilton Central in Garden Place, or visit the regions when balloons head to the Thames Racecourse in Thames and Victoria Square in Cambridge.

Saturday morning concludes flying at Innes Common, where balloonists compete in the popular cash grab at the McDonalds Hamilton Happy Birthday.

From 4pm on Saturday, March 23, Hamilton's biggest night out is The ZURU Nightglow on the grounds of the University of Waikato.

This is a real highlight of the week with five hours of live entertainment on the main stage, food, carnival rides and games, its one for the entire family. At 8pm the stunning orchestrated hot air balloon glow gets under way, culminating in the finale of the spectacular firework display. A night not to be missed.