Bristol Balloon Fiesta & OOTD

In 1783 the first Hot Air Balloon was launched carrying a sheep, a duck, and a rooster. It was in flight for 15 minutes and then came to a bumpy end! Now days Hot Air Balloons are a lot more advanced and come in many shapes and sizes!

On Saturday the boy & I attended the annual Balloon Fiesta in Bristol. This was hosted in Ashton Court which is a large Country Park with a lot of ground perfect for the balloons to take flight! There was around 250,000 people and the atmosphere was great! We were lucky enough to be in with the all the balloons as we had media passes and it was all go... 4x4's, balloons inflating all around you, at one point I nearly got my head cut off by a big rope as they were weighing them all down, you had to keep your eyes wide open!

It took around 90 minutes for everyone to be set up, and then within minutes the first balloon was in the air and there were cheers from the crowd! One by one about 60 balloons took flight, it was so fascinating watching how this happens - the balloon is rolled out, stretched to its width, blown with a fan to start inflating why the crew try and open every gap possible. Next the baskets are all placed on their side and the flames start to go... all the passengers have to duck down while the balloon takes off... about 20 seconds after they've left the ground you see all these heads bob up like Meer Cats!

Once we had watched all the balloons set off on their route we sat down and enjoyed a champagne picnic! Yummy ham rolls, muffins, strawberries and *cough* cheese strings... God I love a cheese string!!!

I chose to wear my new denim dress from Topshop, with Converse's and some midi rings. If you follow me on Instagram (glitter_stevie) you'd of seen I recently had my fringe (bangs) cut back in and I'm so glad I did! As the evening got chillier I slippied on the boyf's hoodie, big, cosy & warm!

Just as we finished out last sip of champers the balloons were bought back for the Night Glow. This is where all the balloons go in a circle and blow the gas flames to songs! They played around 10 songs and it was INCREDIBLE... Take That 'Rule The World', Rihanna 'Diamonds', every song that was played was simply amazing and you could tell a lot of effort had gone into the choreography. We were in the middle of the circle when this was happening and it was the most perfect place to be. If this wasn't all enough the night was finished by some spectacular fireworks! 

Lots of balloon go-ers by the bar!

All families getting involved setting the balloons up

The largest of the baskets for lots of passengers

Looks like knackering work...

Even a beautiful photo shoot going on!

Anyone for toasting marshmallows?!

TAH-DAH!!!

TOPSHOP DRESS HERE

TOPSHOP MIDI RINGS HERE

CONVERSE PLIMSOLLS HERE

This was such a great afternoon/evening and I couldn't recommend it enough. It was free entry (parking £5) and it's a perfect afternoon out with a picnic blanket & hamper. This runs every year from the Thursday to the Sunday and if you're more an early bird you can watch the balloons set of at 6am. I am determined to go on a Hot Air Balloon ride now as it looks so much fun!

Bristol Balloon Fiesta Website
Have you ever been in a Hot Air Balloon?

Stevie
xoxo