Saga International Balloon Fiesta

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The Saga International Balloon Fiesta is held at the beginning of November every year in Saga Prefecture, Japan. Since 1980 the launch site has been visited by over 10 million spectators.

It is held just outside of Saga City (佐賀市), along the Kase River. A small JR station is set up during the event between Saga City and Kubota town (久保田町, Kubota town^?), and is simply called the Balloon Saga Station (バルーンさが駅, Balloon Saga Station^?). This station is non-active the rest of the year. Competitors from all over the world come to particpate in the event. It is also a popular time for tourists as the Karatsu Kunchi Festival (唐津くんち, Karatsu Kunchi Festival^?) is held at the same time in Karatsu City (唐津市, Karatsu City^?).

1 History
2 Schedule
3 External links

[edit] History

The fiesta started in 1978 in Amagi City, Fukuoka Prefecture, as a smaller ballooning event. The fiesta has grown from a gathering of 5 hot air balloons to a competition where over 3500 people volunteer, and has gained a reputation as one of the top ballooning competitions in the world.

[edit] Beginnings

At that time it was simply known as "Balloon Fiesta in Kyushu." In 1980 on the Fiesta was moved to the outskirts of Saga city, where there is more room. In 1984 it became an international competition and was renamed "Saga International Balloon Fiesta." In 1984 the first Japanese National Hot Air Balloon Championship was also held, and balloonists from all over Japan came to the grounds.

[edit] Since Establishment

Since 1984 there have been approximately 640 balloons from overseas participate (nearly 3000 crew and pilots).

In 1989 the 9th Hot Air Balloon World Championships were held at the fiesta grounds. Approximatly 132 balloons from 25 countries and territories competed. In 1990 the first Pacific Championship was held in Saga. In November 1997 the 13th Hot Air Balloon World Championships were again held in Saga. With numbers rarely seen outside of the United States, this event was the considerably attended with over 38 countries and territories participating. There were 112 balloons present for the World Championship and together with the balloons that were competing in the Honda Grand Prix "Final Battle", Balloon Fantasia, and official balloons there were 170 balloons flying through the skies of Saga.

Between 1990 and 1996 women from around the world gathered in Saga and participated in the Ladies World Cup. Saga was the first place to have a competition of this kind.

[edit] Crowd-focused traditions established

Beginning in 1992 a category for special shaped balloons, called "Balloon Fantasia" was created. Also started at this time was the "La Mongtgolfier Nocturne (The Night of Hot Air Balloons)" in which balloons inflated, yet tethered to the ground, light their burners in a choreographed manner, illuminating their unique shapes. This is one of the highlights of the fiesta.

In 1997, special days during the Fiesta have been established for people to experience the balloons. These include: