Telford 50 goes sky high - free Balloon & Kite Fiesta 12 & 13 May!
Telford’s free Balloon and Kite Fiesta on 12 and 13 May promises dozens of hot air balloons and hundreds of kites filling the skies, a Red Devils parachute jump and a breath-taking “nightglow” of balloons’ burners igniting and dancing to music.
To help celebrate Telford turning 50, the town’s annual Kite Festival this year is even bigger and better with the addition of around 25 hot air balloons, making mass ascents over the weekend.
A full event programme which includes a parachute jump by the Red Devils, stunt motorcycle display team, circus and kite workshops is on Telford 50 website.
Weather permitting, there will be an opportunity for four mass early morning and evening balloon take-offs over the weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday, the day starts with the launch of around 25 hot air balloons, Telford Town Park’s Arena between 6am and 6.45am (weather dependent). If you’re not an early bird, this is repeated again on Saturday 6.45pm and 7.30pm from the same location (weather dependent).
On Saturday 12 May there’s a host of other activity in and around the Arena:
• The main event starts from 12:00pm at the QEII Arena with balloon based activities and at the Telford Hornets Rugby Club, people can watch giant kites, make and fly kites all throughout the day.
• 12pm - dusk. Kite displays, fly a kite and making workshops at the Rugby Club
• 1pm & 7.30pm - the exciting Broke FMX Motorcycle stunt -Arena
• 2pm - spectacular Red Devils parachute display – Arena
• 8.30pm – fire eaters and street entertainers – Arena
• 9pm – “Night glow” around ten balloons will become beautiful floating lanterns, firing their burners to music (weather permitting). - Arena
During the afternoon there will be a variety of hot air balloons tethered in the Arena for everyone to see and model balloons will be flying. Circus Sensible returns to entertain children with circus skills workshops. Throughout the weekend, there will be over 25 food & drink stalls.
On Sunday, 13 May after the early morning mass ascent (6am - 6.45am - weather permitting), the focus is on kites at Telford Rugby Club from noon as the Midland Kite Association bring an array of beautiful large scale and stunt kites as well as a specially commissioned Telford 50 kite. On the Sunday there will also be lots of special picnic tables in the Arena to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the spectacle in a more relaxed atmosphere.
You can fly or make your own kites, with ‘kite doctors’ on hand to help and mend kites, or you can just borrow a kite!
If you fancy taking to the skies yourself, there’s even the chance to fly in one of Virgin’s iconic big red balloons, from 5.15 am on Saturday (12 May) or from 6pm on Sunday (13 May).
Spaces are limited on a first come, first served basis.
For more details visit https://www.virginballoonflights.co.uk/telford50 and look for the special Telford 50 discount code which will be eligible for future flights as well.
In addition to the main Telford Town Centre and Southwater and International Centre public car parks, extra car parking spaces will be signposted from all main town centre approach roads. Look out for signage on the day, with further overflow parking also available if needed.
A free park and ride service to the Arena will also run from Randlay Valley Car Park, Queen Elizabeth Ave near the St Quentin roundabout - approach from Randlay Interchange (A442)
For more information about car parking visit www.telford50.co.uk/balloons or follow @telfordwrekin on the day.
Cllr Rae Evans cabinet member for Tourism said “We are delighted to have such a spectacle in our fabulous Town Park.
“A balloon festival is something we haven’t seen in Telford for many years. By partnering with Lindstrand Technologies we have secured a fantastic free family event and the chance to see something special as part of the Telford 50 celebrations. We look forward to seeing you there!.”
To be keep up-to-date with the latest Telford 50 news, register here and join our dedicated Facebook group.
