Up, up and away for festival
HOT AIR BALLOONS SET TO TAKE OVER CITY SKYLINE
A hot air balloon festival is set to take off this month.
Dozens of hot air balloons are set to soar over the Durham skyline from Friday, May 26 to Monday, May 29 for a series of dawn and dusk flights launched from East Durham College’s Houghall Campus.
The event has been organised by Durham Business Improvement District (Durham Bid).
Adam Deathe, business engagement manager at Durham Bid, said: “Early risers are expected to be able to see a whole range of hot air balloons rise above the city from their launch point at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus each morning of the festival at dawn.”
Highlights are set to include a Balloon Glow, which will see illuminated balloons rise into the sky from 9.30pm on Saturday, May 27.
Some of the events are open to the elements and could be subject to change at short notice.
ScottHillaryofAHEvents, the production company behind Balloons InDurham, explained: “If the Balloon Glow can’t happen on the Saturday evening, we’ll make every effort to make sure it happens the following night, weather permitting.
“That said, as the final plans for Balloons InDurham are announced and over the course of the festival weekend, we’d urge people to keep checking Durham BID’s website and social media channels for event updates.”
Suzanne Duncan, principal and chief executive of East Durham College, said: “The college is acutely aware of the importance of the tourism industry to Durham City, and the wider region, and this event is a fantastic way to help attract visitors to our beautiful region.”