Fiesta goers will have the chance to witness at least 14 special balloons across the three-day weekend in the main arena at Ashton Court Estate, from August 9 to 11.
Have a look through some of the returning classics, nostalgic shapes and new favourites making up this year’s line-up:
1. Action Man
Action Man is regarded as one of the greatest special shapes ever built, operated by the Virgin Airship & Balloon Company in the 1990s. He used to release real orange tinted smoke from the canisters on take-off. While this balloon has now retired from flying, he has now joined the MJ Ballooning fleet for his final special mission in his home city | Ambitious
2. Astro the Alien
His Glorious Divine Benevolence, The Leader, will add to the sky-high excitement as he takes flight over all the tiny human visitors. Look out for his twinning ‘Alien Probe’ hot air balloon and accompanying ground dance troupe. Astro is piloted by Bristol-balloonist Lee Hooper and the team at Spirit Balloons | Ambitious
3. Buster & Bella the Bulldogs
The duo, flown by Lighter Than Air’s Paul Burrows, have become firm Fiesta favourites in recent years. Designed and built in the UK in 2018, this slobbering duo have travelled all over the world, making their way back to Bristol in time for the Fiesta | Ambitious
4. Daisy the Cow
This farmyard favourite is a hopper, a one-person hot air ballon owned and flown by Simon Church and built by Cameron Balloons. The eye-catching design is hard to miss, and rather appropriately the balloons registration is G-CMOO | Ambitious