Entertainment

In Pictures: Sky’s the limit as the Bristol Balloon Fiesta takes off

After wind grounded the first launch, the colourful extravaganza saw hot air balloons fill the sky.
After wind grounded the first launch, the colourful extravaganza saw hot air balloons fill the sky.

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta lifted off in fine fashion after windy weather conditions delayed the first mass launch on Thursday.

More than 100 hot air balloons are expected to grace the skies during the four-day spectacle, which is taking place after the Covid pandemic halted the celebration for two years.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
Hot air balloons begin to take off during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Ben Birchall/PA)
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
A balloon is prepared for flying at Ashton Court, Bristol (Ben Birchall/PA)
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
Equipment is tested before the mass launch (Ben Birchall/PA)
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
A balloon flies over fields which have turned brown and dried out in the prolonged spell of dry weather (Ben Birchall/PA)
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
The fiesta is expected to see more than 100 balloons fly over the Bristol area (Ben Birchall/PA)
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
An extravagantly-designed hot air balloon takes off (Ben Birchall/PA)
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
The Royal Navy’s hot air balloon (Ben Birchall/PA)
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
Balloons against an early morning Bristol skyline (Ben Birchall/PA)
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
Ready for take-off (Ben Birchall/PA)
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022
A balloon casts a shadow over a farmer’s field (Ben Birchall/PA)