It’s up, up and away as Weston balloon dream becomes reality

TENS of thousands of people are expected to fill Weston-super-Mare seafront for the town’s first-ever Weston-super-Glow.

The event, organised by North Somerset Council in partnership with Exclusive Ballooning, is set to start at 2pm on November 17, when 30 hot air balloons take to the skies, launching off the beach.

And while the balloon sail across the skyline, spectators will be able to explore the Eat: Weston stalls along the Beach Lawns or venture to the nearby Icescape ice rink at the Tropicana.

At 6.30pm, the balloons will be lined up on the beach south of the Tropicana for the main event – performing a choreographed glow to music.

Exclusive Ballooning director Andrew Holly, renowned for flying in unusual locations, including flying a hot air balloon beneath Tower Bridge, said: “This is something I’ve always wanted to see happen and we are grateful to North Somerset Council’s events team for helping it become a reality.”

Organisers will be keeping a close eye on the weather and will make an announcement at 4pm on November 15 on the Weston Seafront Facebook page.

The event already has 34,000 likes on Facebook and is expected to attract large crowds.

Safety measures will be put in place, including a road closure along Marine Parade from 8pm on November 16, along with a beach exclusion zone.

In addition to the car parks in the town centre, parking will also be available on the Beach Lawns on Saturday. Drivers will be charged £5 for the day.