Balloons over Waikato festival coming soon

Saturday's Nightglow features hot air balloons, food vendors, fireworks and five hours of live entertainment.

Hot air balloons from around the world will colour the city from Wednesday, March 21 with events everyone can be a part of.

Opening morning gets under way from 7.30am Wednesday with the Hamilton Mass Ascension from Innes Common, Hamilton Lake.

Throughout the week there is competitive flying tasks each morning from Innes Common and fun for everyone, with the WEL Energy Trust Breakfast with the Gallagher Chiefs on Thursday, The First Credit Union Fun Friday, the hot and fiery City Burn and Markets in Garden Place Friday night, the McDonalds Hamilton Cash Grab Saturday morning, the ZURU Nightglow on Saturday night, all finishing on Sunday morning with the Grassroots Trust Finale.

The shaped hot air balloons are always the stars of the show, and event manager Michele Connell, has confirmed that six special shapes will fly at the festival this year.

"We have a gorgeous collection of special shapes this year, including Bud E Beaver, Little Wizard & Piranha, all from the USA. The Resene Colour Fun for Everyone Family also join us — Boy, Girl and Baby Boy aka Dingbat from the USA and Canada."

Hamilton's biggest night out is The ZURU Nightglow on the grounds of the University of Waikato. There will be five hours of live entertainment on the main stage including headline act Jason Kerrison.

There will be carnival rides, food and an aerobatic display from the Royal NZ Air Force new Black Falcon team. The orchestrated hot air balloon glow is a full production, culminating in the finale of the spectacular firework display.

The sixth and final special shape flying in the festival is Little Wizard. It is piloted by Debra Nelson from the United States, a licensed balloon, land and sea pilot as well as a veterinarian. Little Wizard is in the shape of a Wizard with a cat in a bag on his back.

"The little cat in the Little Wizards backpack is our rescue cat named Broken the Cat. I fixed his broken bones when he was a kitten and he has been with us for 15 years," Debra says. "Broken is a therapy cat who volunteers with special needs children and like the Little Wizard spreads his joy and magic wherever he goes."

Come and experience all six special shapes as well as balloons from around the world.

Visit www.balloonsoverwaikato co.nz for more information and like on Facebook for information.