Igualada, Catalonia, a city near Barcelona, Spain will play host to the 17th European Balloon Festival, the largest festival of hot air ballooning in Spain as well as one of the biggest in Europe.
(TRAVPR.COM) SPAIN - July 4th, 2013 - The event is arranged every year since 1997 by the Igualada City Council with the help and support from Ultramagic, the world's second largest producer of hot air balloons and Kon-Tiki Balloon Flights, a specializing in balloon flights. The festival is held to encourage the competitive spirit of the sport of hot air ballooning.
The European Balloon Festival or EBF is a conglomeration of the greatest ballooning countries where more than 50 fifty hot air balloons, along with their crew, come to participate from all over the world. The competition is coordinated each year during the first two weeks of July and the celebration continues for four days. Over 50,000 spectators visit the city to witness the festival and take part in its festivities.
There are various exhibitions for the visitors where they can witness a grand spectacle of fireworks and the unmistakable glow of night flights along with several colorful morning balloon flights. The flights for competition and exhibition begin early in the morning and late in the evening because the weather conditions at those times are conducive for control of the balloons. Visitors also can take the opportunity to try riding in a hot air balloon by booking them in advance. There are various activities organized during the EBF where visitors can participate actively in the launch of the balloons.
The EBF 2013 will take place from 10th July to 14th July in the Launch Field on Catalunya Avenue. Apart from the balloon competition zone, there are other offerings at the festival for everyone in the family. Several companies related to hot air balloon sport take part in the festival with exhibition booths demonstrating unique concepts such Igloo Wind, a recycling of sailing balloons to create temporary structures. There is also a food expo called Flight Tapas where festival attendees can stroll downtown and enjoy the food from 24 participating restaurants with specially designed taps just for the balloon festival. The cost is 2.5 € with drink included.
A Fun Zone is planned just for kids to enjoy with a variety of games and activities such as inflatable bounce houses, sports games and face painting. A photography contest will also held where prizes go to the top 4 best shots and participants can win up to € 200 or win balloon rides.
For more information regarding the European Balloon Festival, 2013, please visit its official website at www.ebf.cat/en/
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This Catalonia events news update is courtesy of Sitges Hills Villas, specialists in luxury holiday villas in and around Sitges in Catalonia, Spain. Visit their website here.
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