Canberra Balloon Spectacular

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular, formerly known as Canberra Balloon Festival, is an annual hot air balloon festival that takes place at the lawns of the old Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. Each year in March, approximately 50 hot air balloons launch daily at dawn over the two week festival from the forecourt of Old Parliament House and float over Canberra, in honor of the 20th anniversary of LTBIA.[2]

Canberra Balloon Spectacular
GenreHot air balloon festival
Date(s)March
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Canberra
Inaugurated1987
Attendance32,000 (2014)[1]
Websitehttp://balloonspectacular.com.au

Some of the unusual balloons that have participated in the festival over the years include a pair of dancing honey bees, Vincent Van Gogh's head, a windmill, a tropical tree, a turtle, the Skywhale,[3] a Scottish bagpiper, a hummingbird and a frog. The event is complete with on site entertainment, activities and food and drink.

References

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  1. ^ Andrew Barr, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (20 March 2014). "Canberra Balloon Spectacular". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Australian Capital Territory: ACT Legislative Assembly. p. 635. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Air display for ACT's birthday". The Canberra Times. 19 February 1988. p. 7.
  3. ^ Kelly, Emma (4 March 2014). "Novelty hot air balloons float in for nine-day event". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014.