Cancelled Balloon fiesta latest to fall victim to Covid-19 uncertainty
TWe understand this will be a disappointment to our visitors, as well as the various businesses and organisations across the city and region that benefit from the significant economic impact of the event taking place. It really is not a decision that we have taken lightly Festival organisers
HE Bristol Balloon Fiesta will not take place at Ashton Court this year. Organisers said it would not be possible to stage the event at the estate in Long Ashton “because of uncertainty around large events and coronavirus”.
But they revealed there are plans instead for a ‘Fiesta Fortnight,’ with flypasts over the city this August.
A spokesperson for the event said: “We understand this will be a disappointment to our visitors, as well as the various businesses and organisations across the city and region that benefit from the significant economic impact of the event taking place.
“It really is not a decision that we have taken lightly.
“We have considered a number of alternatives to deliver the fiesta using the various measures currently being trialled by public events, however, these significantly change the ethos and accessibility which is at the heart of the fiesta.
“Without any certainty that we will be able to stage the event with no limits on capacity in August, it means a huge financial gamble of a seven-figure sum.
“However, we are determined to continue to put a show on for the city and we will deliver a number of launches across the city and region during the first two weeks of August.
“These events will be designed for members of the public to enjoy at a distance, from the safety of their own homes and communities.
“We will announce further details over the coming weeks.
“However, we would like to ask Bristol to nominate the locations you would like to see balloons launch from visiting the link at https://bit.ly/3gyNpkG.”
Last year’s spectacle was cancelled because of the pandemic, although there was an early morning flypast to enjoy, as well as a livestreamed Virtual Nightglow.
The organisers of Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta had said last month that they wanted to put on an event this year “as closely aligned to the Fiesta and its values as possible”.
The Fiesta had been due to take place between August 12 and 15, depending on the success of the Government’s ‘roadmap’ to exit lockdown.
At the start of last month, organisers said they were working on a “variety of options for the event” depending on the success of the roadmap to exit lockdown.
A statement at the time said: “As restrictions ease in the UK, it was good to see a number of test events taking place over the bank holiday weekend as part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, putting smiles on thousands of faces.
“This is something that we hope to be able to achieve in August.
“We are carefully monitoring the guidance and regulations and planning to an event as closely aligned to the Fiesta and its values as possible.
Organisers had opened balloonist registration and trader applications, and gave the public the chance to register their interest in the event to be sent advance announcements of plans.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the city’s most iconic events, normally attracting more than 100,000 visitors to Ashton Court and generating around £15 million for the region.