Darth Vader to reign supreme at Balloons over Waikato

The force returns: the Darth Vader special shape will be a star turn at Balloons Over Waikato this year. Photo/ Supplied

Balloons over Waikato is back Tuesday March 19 to Saturday March 23 and to celebrate 20 years some of the most loved special shapes are returning - including Darth Vader.

Announcing the first special shape on Tuesday, the festival organisers say it is the most requested and one of the most loved of all the past Special Shaped balloons.

Event manager, Michele Connell, says she is thrilled to have the Star Wars villain return after first bringing the force to the Waikato in 2008.

"Being our 20th birthday, we wanted to celebrate and commemorate the past 20 years. Without doubt, Darth has been one of our stand out special shapes," she says.

"We know he will excite a new generation of children around the Waikato, and we are looking forward to seeing him reign supreme over the Zuru Nightglow."

Darth Vader was built in 2007 with full approval from George Lucas Films. Darth's pilot and balloon owner Benoit Lambert, is a huge Star Wars fan. The pilot, from Belgium, came up with the idea to create the Darth Vader helmet special shape and worked with Lucas Films in secret during the design and build process.

The 26m high, 290kg balloon took eight weeks to manufacture, and is now one of the most popular Special Shape balloons on the ballooning circuit.

Everyone is invited to Balloons over Waikato's 20th Birthday with five days of flying planned from Innes Common in Hamilton each morning.

There will also be balloon visits to Thames and Cambridge, the much loved HCBA City Burn & Markets and Hamilton's big night out, The ZURU Nightglow
Don't miss your chance to join the force and meet Darth Vader.

Balloons over Waikato, starting Tuesday March 19 and finishing after the ZURU Nightglow on Saturday March 23.