Scotland’s only hot-air balloon festival returns to Strathaven in August
Scotland’s only hot-air balloon festival will return to South Lanarkshire this August for a weekend of launches, live entertainment and family activities.
The Strathaven Balloon Festival will take place at Strathaven Park from Friday 28 August until Sunday 30 August.
Thousands of visitors are expected to travel to the town for the free event, which includes early-morning balloon launches, evening flights, a Saturday night balloon glow, live music, fairground rides and food stalls.
The first launch is planned for shortly after 6pm on Friday. Further flights are scheduled for around 6am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, although all balloon activity will depend on weather conditions.
One of the highlights of the weekend will be the Evening Glow on Saturday 29 August. Balloons will be inflated and tethered inside the festival arena before their burners are fired in time with music. The display is due to begin shortly after 9pm.
Family entertainment will run from noon on Saturday and Sunday. The programme will include live music, classic vehicles, children’s activities, a funfair and a range of food and trading stalls.
Parachutists from the Sky Masters display team are also scheduled to perform at around 4pm on both days, weather permitting.
Strathaven Park has two children’s play areas, a boating pond and a miniature railway.
The event was founded in 1999 by a group of local volunteers who wanted to create a major attraction for the town. It has since developed into Scotland’s only annual hot-air balloon festival and has attracted pilots and visitors from across the UK and Europe.
Organisers say the festival can bring more than 30,000 people to Strathaven over the weekend.
Drivers should follow temporary signs from the A71, A723 and A726 to the official park-and-ride sites. Parking costs £8 per car.
Parking restrictions will be in place on roads around the park, including Glasgow Road, Threestanes Road, Commercial Road and Lethame Road.
Entry to the festival is free and no ticket is required.
The festival is held at Strathaven Park, Glasgow Road, Strathaven, ML10 6LZ.
Scotland’s only hot-air balloon festival will return to South Lanarkshire this August for a weekend of launches, live entertainment and family activities.
The Strathaven Balloon Festival will take place at Strathaven Park from Friday 28 August until Sunday 30 August.
Thousands of visitors are expected to travel to the town for the free event, which includes early-morning balloon launches, evening flights, a Saturday night balloon glow, live music, fairground rides and food stalls.
The first launch is planned for shortly after 6pm on Friday. Further flights are scheduled for around 6am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, although all balloon activity will depend on weather conditions.
One of the highlights of the weekend will be the Evening Glow on Saturday 29 August. Balloons will be inflated and tethered inside the festival arena before their burners are fired in time with music. The display is due to begin shortly after 9pm.
Family entertainment will run from noon on Saturday and Sunday. The programme will include live music, classic vehicles, children’s activities, a funfair and a range of food and trading stalls.
Parachutists from the Sky Masters display team are also scheduled to perform at around 4pm on both days, weather permitting.
Strathaven Park has two children’s play areas, a boating pond and a miniature railway.
The event was founded in 1999 by a group of local volunteers who wanted to create a major attraction for the town. It has since developed into Scotland’s only annual hot-air balloon festival and has attracted pilots and visitors from across the UK and Europe.
Organisers say the festival can bring more than 30,000 people to Strathaven over the weekend.
Drivers should follow temporary signs from the A71, A723 and A726 to the official park-and-ride sites. Parking costs £8 per car.
Parking restrictions will be in place on roads around the park, including Glasgow Road, Threestanes Road, Commercial Road and Lethame Road.
Entry to the festival is free and no ticket is required.
The festival is held at Strathaven Park, Glasgow Road, Strathaven, ML10 6LZ.