Balloon Festival confirmed
The four-day annual Wairarapa balloon festival will go ahead this year starting on Thursday 08MAR.
Trust House Balloons over Wairarapa organiser Jonathan Hooker said following the balloon tragedy in Carterton earlier this month, organisers canvassed a wide range of opinions including those of nearest relatives of the 11 people who died. “We have not received any feedback that the festival should not happen,” Mr Hooker said. “The overwhelming opinion of those we consulted was that it should go ahead.” The festival’s first event will be a special tribute flight to remember those who were lost on 07JAN. Balloons will lift off together from Carterton’s Carrington Park in the traditional opening morning launch.
The following six events over four days will be held as usual, with a return to Carterton for the final flight on the morning of Sunday 11MAR. The 14th annual balloon festival will see more than 30 hot air balloons take part in a series of competitions and displays in and around Carterton and Masterton.
