Balloons to soar over Oswestry as popular festival returns to the town centre
Scores of hot air balloons from across the country will be taking to the skies at the weekend.
And a sponsor of the one of the local teams taking part has had a sneak preview of what it will be like to soar above the county.
The Oswestry Balloon Carnival on Saturday and Sunday is a two-day charity event in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.
It is set in Cae Glas park and throughout the town. Although entrance to the park is free there will be a wristband system on the entrance. There will also be an optional £1 donation to Nightingale House Hospice.
Providing the weather is kind there will be a mass balloon launch at 6am and 6pm each day. In previous years the highlight for spectators has been the Saturday evening night glow, at 9pm. Balloons light up and inflate as music plays in the park.
There will also be a full programme of entertainment in the park with music, cheerleaders, dance, BMX and gymnastics displays and an owl display and alpacas as well as market stalls. The Oswestry based Rainbow Hot Air Balloon team is being sponsored by The Meadows Osteopath Clinic.
Clare Arnold from the clinic, said: “As a family we’ve been welcomed into the crew for the Rainbow Hot Air Balloon Team for a year now. So when the opportunity to sponsor them came up I jumped at the chance for a really unique form of advertising. I had my first flight in a balloon about five years ago and have been hooked ever since."
Her most recent flight earlier this week was with her children, nine-year-old Natalie and six-year-old Morgan, in perfect weather conditions. We were gliding along as the sun rose, it was beautiful, even the children were speechless which is something.”
There will be a park and ride bus service into Oswestry from the Livestock Market.
