Fiesta

THE UK’s biggest hot air balloon fiesta has kicked off for its 48th year, with over 100 balloons set to descend on a major city.

Hosted over three days, this free festival celebrates the city’s heritage, with stunning displays throughout the day and night.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has kicked off with perfect blue skies, attracting approximately 500,000 people over the course of the weekend.

Beginning today, and continuing until Sunday (August 9) evening, there is a jam-packed programme of mass balloon ascents, balloon-themed displays, and food and drink.

The international festival takes place on the hills of Ashton Court Estate, a 850-acre historic park on the outskirts of Bristol city centre.

When the festival first opened in 1979, only 27 balloons took part — but now, visitors can expect to see four times that number, with balloons shaped like aliens, dragons, pandas, and more.

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The highlight of the experience is set to be the mass ascents, where over 100 hot air balloons take to the skies at dawn (around 6am) and dusk (around 6pm).

Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful lights of the hot air balloons at the evening Nightglows, where up to 25 hot air balloons set up in the main arena, before lighting up to a background of regional music.

Included in the entertainment is a thrilling display by the RAF Falcons, model planes, and the historic ballooning arena, as well as a deluxe Thatchers cider Balloon Bar.

These incredible scenes across Bristol can be enjoyed at Ashton Court Estate with a completely free admission ticket.

However, for those wanting a VIP experience, tickets to the Sky Lounge, which has a tented arena to view the mass ascents, costs £20 for children and £25 for adults.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will run from today until Sunday, August 9, with timetabled events scheduled between 6am and 9pm today and tomorrow, and until 6.15pm on Sunday.

After 52 years of providing the Inland Empire with mini golf, roller skating and go-karting, Fiesta Village Family Fun Park is shutting down.

The Colton amusement park said in a statement Tuesday that it will remain open to the public for its final days this weekend.

“This decision has not been easy. For decades, Fiesta Village has been a place where families gathered, friendships grew and memories were made,” the company said in the statement.

Owner Michelle O’Brien said that rising operation costs and declining attendance were the main reasons behind the closure.

“It’s been a privilege to be the steward at the park. It’s devastating to have to close it, but you get to a point where there are no other options,” O’Brien said. “We’re so grateful that Fiesta Village carried a place in people’s hearts.”

The park first opened in 1974, with a mini golf course, waterslides and go-karts. O’Brien purchased it in 2002 and has operated it ever since. Under her and her husband Patrick’s ownership, the park added attractions such as the Scrambler and Tilt-a-Whirl, along with laser tag and a roller skating rink.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the theme park industry has struggled to fully rebound. Rising costs and a lack of tourism have made the business increasingly difficult to sustain.

Last year, California’s Great America, a Silicon Valley park operated by Six Flags Entertainment, had to cut its workforce and shorten its season. Even theme park giants such as Disneyland are seeing slight downturns in attendance. Disney previously said its U.S. theme parks saw a 1% drop in attendance compared with the prior year, which the company attributed to “continued softness” in attendance by international visitors. Disneyland’s Anaheim park also recently began offering $71 tickets to draw more local visitors.

For parks like Fiesta Village, the rising cost of essentials such as food ultimately makes survival harder, said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, a consulting firm. He added that competition from nearby parks is also drawing business away. As a Southern California venue, Fiesta Village sits within driving distance of destinations such as Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland.

“It’s hard for smaller parks to compete with the big entities that surround them. Particularly now as we continue to see this amazing growth in technology for rides and attractions,” Speigel said. “Big attractions are very expensive propositions for parks to put in, and parks like Fiesta Village can’t keep up with that.”

Given the current economic uncertainty, Speigel said, theme parks will probably see a “flat year” — meaning no major growth or decline industrywide.

After Fiesta Village’s final celebration with the public on Friday and Saturday, the park will host a private event Sunday before shutting down for good. It’s unclear what will happen to the property afterward.

“Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives and your family traditions,” the company wrote. “We will always cherish the role Fiesta Village has played in bringing people together.”

Times staff writer Samantha Masunaga contributed to this report.