Families with young kids took advantage of the bright and sunny weather on the first day of the 20th International Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Here are fun things that families can still get out of this balloon fiesta this weekend!
1. An exclusive view of flying aircrafts
Planes and helicopters are normally seen a million miles high above the ground. Here you and your kids get to see and hear different aircrafts flying low just a hundred meters from you.
2. Horseback riding
It’s always fun to ride on the back of a horse and gallop alongside your family on the open field. It’s all about outdoor fun!
3. Camping in the daytime
Setting up a tent in the field is perfect to give your family a comfortable space without missing the aerobic shows.
4. Flying kites all day long.
To feel the wind as your kite moves with it is simply exhilarating. It keeps you attuned to the wind’s erratic blows, as you gaze at the energizing vision of such a vibrant display.
For kids, it gives them an empowering feeling of flying up in the sky. It also teaches them about wind directions.
*You can purchase kites at the event bazaar.
5. Meeting friendly people
This aerial festival has a wholesome, lively ambiance that attracts fun and friendly people whom you could end up being great friends with.
6. Eating off a smorgasbord of delicious treats
When all the activity makes you hungry, have a feast of burgers, shawarma, savoury rice meals, donuts, dumplings, fresh fruit shakes, ice cream and so much more from the food vendors at the venue.
Vegetarians and vegans, however may find it hard to find the right food for their diet, so it’s best to pack along their own.
Want to know what other fun things you and your family can get out of this event? Read on.
7. Going up on a Hot Air Balloon
Riding a hot air balloon is one of the things you should do in your lifetime because it lets you fly high above the ground and see the majestic view below.
*Hot Air Balloon ride costs $350 per person.
8. Participating in games and winning prizes
The fun activities staged by participating booths all over the venue allows you to relive your childhood… with your children! Now that’s fun.
9. Getting that much-needed dose of fresh air and sunlight
The event venue is completely open-air, so you and your family can relax and revel in the beauty of the great outdoors.
10. Slurping ice cream in the hot sun
Eating ice cream with your kids is always fun, especially when it’s hot out!
11. Having a picnic on the grass while watching the aerial shows
This makes for a precious little moment with your family– sharing a simple meal, enjoying the breeze, all with amazing aerial exhibitions in your view.
12. Riding on other aircrafts
With a grand display of aircrafts parked on the grounds, you can grab the rare opportunity of riding on twin-engine planes or helicopters, and have your photos taken, too.
Still pondering on whether to go or not? Check out the itineraries of the event on the next page.
13. Watching amazing aerobatics
Each day of the event is filled with a variety of aerial exhibitions, which you and your family can get a thrill out of.
Here are the itineraries for today and tomorrow.
| THIRD FIESTA DAY February 13, 2016 (Sat) |
|
|---|---|
| 5:30- 6:15 AM | RC UFO Flying |
| 6:20- 6:35 AM | Skydiving Philippine Flag jump |
| 6:35- 6:40 AM | PAF S211 Highspeed Opener |
| 6:40- 7:40 AM | Hare and Hound Hot Air Balloon Flights |
| 7:30- 7:45 AM | Motorized Paragliding Exhibition |
| 7:45- 8:15 AM | Twinz Acrobatic Paragliders |
| 8:15- 9:15 AM | ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing |
| 9:15- 9:30 AM | PAF FA50 Fighter Jet Flyby |
| 9:30 – 9:45 AM | Sean Clarke Super Decathlon Aerobatic Show |
| 9:45-10:00 AM | British Sky Diving Exhibition |
| 10:00-11:00 AM | Aircraft Radio Control Aerobatics Show |
| 10:15-10:45 AM | Car Drifting with Flour Bombing |
| 11:00-11:30 AM | Helicopter flight display |
| 11:30- 12:00 PM | Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration |
| 12:00- 12:30 PM | KAP / KTP Kite Flying Demonstration |
| 12:30- 1:00 PM | Flight Schools Flyby |
| 1:00- 1:30 PM | Rolf Dunder Aerobatic Glider flight |
| 1:30- 2:00 PM | Private Aircraft Flyby |
| 2:00- 3:00 PM | Radio-controlled Jet Turbine Model Aircraft Demonstration |
| 3:00- 3:30 PM | Twinz Acrobatic Paragliders |
| 3:30- 4:15 PM | Gen Av Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition |
| 4:15- 4:30 PM | Mike Schemm PT13 Stearman Fly By and Aerobatic Maneuvers |
| 4:30- 4:45 PM | British Sky Diving Exhibition |
| 4:45- 5:00 PM | Sean Clarke Super Decathlon Aerobatic Show |
| 5:00- 5:30 PM | ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing |
| 5:30- 5:50 PM | Twinz Acrobatic Paragliders |
| 5:50- 6:15 PM | Motorized Paragliding Exhibition |
| 6:00- 9:00 PM | ABS-CBN Jeepney TV Valentines Show |
| 7:30- 8:00 PM | Hot Air Balloon Night Glow |
|
FOURTH FIESTA DAY |
|
|---|---|
| 5:30- 6:15 AM | RC UFO Flying |
| 6:20- 6:35 AM | Skydiving Philippine Flag jump |
| 6:35- 6:40 AM | PAF S211 Highspeed Opener |
| 6:40- 7:40 AM | Hare and Hound Hot Air Balloon Flights |
| 7:20- 7:40 AM | Motorized Paragliding Exhibition |
| 7:40- 8:00 AM | Twinz Acrobatic Paragliders |
| 8:00- 8:15 AM | PAF FA50 Fighter Jet Flyby |
| 8:15- 9:00 AM | ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights and Flour Bombing |
| 8:15- 8:45 AM | Car Drifting with Flour Bombing |
| 9:00- 9:15 AM | Mike Schemm PT13 Stearman Aerobatic Show |
| 9:15- 9:30 AM | Sean Clarke Super Decathlon Aerobatic Show |
| 9:30- 9:45 AM | British Skydiving Exhibition |
| 9:45- 10:15 AM | Philippine Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Demo |
| 10:15- 11:15 AM | Gen Av Light Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition |
| 11:15- 12:00 PM | Car Drifting Demonstration |
| 12:00- 12:30 PM | Rolf Dunder Aerobatic Glider Flight |
| 12:30- 1:30 PM | Flight Schools Flyby |
| 1:30- 2:00 PM | KAP / KTP Flying Exhibition |
| 2:00- 2:45 PM | Aircraft Remote Control Aerobatics show |
| 2:45- 3:00 PM | British Sky Diving Exhibition |
| 3:00- 3:15 PM | Helicopter Display Show |
| 3:15- 3:30 PM | Sean Clarke Super Decathlon Aerobatic Show |
| 3:30- 4:00 PM | Twinz Acrobatic Paragliders |
| 4:00- 4:30 PM | Radio-controlled Jet Turbine Model Aircraft Exhibition |
| 4:30- 5:15 PM | ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights |
| 5:15- 5:45 PM | Twinz Acrobatic Paragliders |
| 5:45- 6:00 PM | Motorized Paragliding Exhibition |
| 5:45- 7:00 PM | Hot Air Balloon Night Glow |
| 7:00- 7:30 PM | Fireworks |
| 7:30 PM | Crew and Awards Night Party |
14. Watching the evening live music show
With a family-friendly festival like this one, you and your family are guaranteed great live entertainment and spectacular performances in the evening. Be sure to save up energy for this event highlight!
15. Lying on the grass and stargazing
While the live music ensues onstage, set up your cozy spot on the field and lie on your mat to catch stars shooting off in the night sky.
If you decide to go on an impulse, just drive to Clark, Pampanga and purchase your tickets at the gate (Php 350 per person).
See: 20th International Hot Air Balloon Festival for more details.