Party balloon
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A party balloon is a little unmanned hot air balloon. For amusement, people let these small balloons fly at a party; they can be seen from some distance and are therefore suitable to mark the venue of the party. Much like a kite a party balloon should be tied on a rope, because there is some danger of setting fire: the balloon usually carries and is powered by a candle.
In China these balloons are used to celebrate New Years Day. They are made of thin paper where the candle light comes shining through. In the streets, people let these usually cylindrical objects fly. It is 1.4 m high and 75 cm in diameter and has a bamboo and wire frame. The source of heat to create the motive power is a candle in the form of ring. At lift-off additional power has to be created by lighting some paper underneath the balloon. The balloons fly about 20 minutes on average. There should be no wind. In the winter and close to sea level it will fly best because it has more buoyancy. The danger that the balloon will cause a fire when it comes down is lowest under these conditions.
