The first balloon has pulled up the station ahead of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. A specially shaped G-BXND Thomas the Tank Engine balloon will be chugging along to the festival on August 10 -14.
Made in Bristol by Cameron Balloons in 1998, Thomas will be celebrating its 25th birthday by attending the iconic event in its home city. It is the first balloon confirmed to be at the event and Thomas fans young and old will be excited to see the beloved character.
In a post on Twitter, Bristol Balloon Collectors wrote: "We’re super excited to announce that our special shape Thomas the tank engine will be attending this years Bristol Balloon Fiesta! We can’t wait to showcase this amazing balloon built here in Bristol by Cameron balloons back in 1998 to everyone."
Read more: Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2023: Parking, bus and VIP tickets go on sale
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta added: "As a TANK YOU Bristol...look who's coming to the #BalloonFiesta with Bristol Balloon Collectors this year... #bristolballoons #bestofbristol #visitbristol."
Die-hard ballooning fans will know that Thomas is far from the only special-shaped balloon - so called because they deviate from the more standard egg-shape - and many others have been sighted at the fiesta through its 40-plus-year history. Minions, laundry detergent bottles, and enormous houses have all previously flown out from Ashton Court.
The fiesta is one of the highlights in Bristol's summer calendar, with thousands of visitors flocking to Ashton Court every year to see hundreds of hot air balloons take off into the sky. This year's event will last four days, from Thursday, August 10 to Sunday, August 13.
Balloon Fiesta founder Don Cameron, who will turn 84 just before the event, said they had lots planned for this year's 45th fiesta. “We’re celebrating another year of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and are delighted to be back at our home grounds of Ashton Court once again," he said.
"It’s a difficult time for a lot of people and it’s more important than ever to give the communities of Bristol a fantastic fiesta that’s free for everyone to attend. We’ve got all pilots crossing their fingers for blue skies and light winds as we set off to the skies," he added.
