Strathaven Balloon Festival set to brighten the Lanarkshire skies

Balloon Festival Day Balloon Festival Night

The annual Strathaven Balloon Festival will this year welcome a bumper crop of hot air balloons over the weekend of 24 – 26 August.

Attracting crews from all over the UK, some visiting for the first time, this event is unique in Scotland. Thousands of people are expected to turn out to see the dawn and dusk flights on Saturday and Sunday.  Fun events for all the family will be staged over the two days with music and dance, heritage exhibitions, vintage transport display, and the Quack Commandoes, where border collies are put through their paces expertly herding a flock of ducks.  One of the highlights will be the atmospheric ‘Evening Glow’, when the massed tethered balloons will light and pulsate to a musical accompaniment at around 9 pm on the Saturday evening.


The Strathaven Balloon Festival will run from Friday, 24 to Sunday, 26 August at Strathaven Park on Threestanes Road in Strathaven.  Weather permitting, the balloons take off on Friday evening at 1830 and Saturday and Sunday mornings (06.30 - 07.00) and early evenings (18.30 - 1900).  


There is no admission fee to this festival.  For more information go to: www.visitlanarkshire.com/events/festivals/Strathaven-Balloon-Festival


Dates and Times


Friday, 24 August 2011 (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm)
Evening Flights weather permitting


Saturday, 25 August 2011 (6:30 am - 7:30 am)
Morning Flights. Weather permitting


Saturday, 25 August 2011 (2:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
Family Fun Day


Saturday, 26 August 2011 (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm)
Evening Flights weather permitting


Saturday, 26 August 2011 (8:00 pm - 9:30 pm)
'Night Glow' weather permitting


Sunday, 26 August 2011 (6:30 am - 7:30 am)
Morning Flights. Weather permitting


Sunday, 26 August 2011 (2:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
Family Fun Day