Strathaven Balloon Festival

The 2007 Strathaven Balloon Festival takes place on the weekend of August 22 - 24 in Strathaven Park. The crews arrive on Friday 22nd and, if the weather is suitable, flights will take place that night, so keep an eye out for them at around 6.30pm. Colourful hot air balloons soaring over the town make a truly breathtaking sight. Weather permitting, balloon flights will take place at 6.30am and 6pm on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th. On the Saturday night there is the spectacular Night Glow between 9pm and 9.30pm

The balloonists will be arriving in Strathaven on the evening of Friday 22 August. Amongst them will be Muir Moffat from Bristol, with the special-shaped 'Piper' balloon, the world’s largest hot air balloon; his other balloon is a Jaguar!

Festival programmes cost £1.50 each and are available from local shops from mid July

Raffle: this year’s grand raffle has been launched. Tickets are available in local shops and the draw will take place at 4pm on Saturday August 23rd, the opening day of the festival. Prizes include a flight in a hot air balloon, a flight from Strathaven Airfield in a microlight aircraft and a case of whisky, along with many other prizes. Don’t forget to buy your tickets when shopping in Strathaven!

We are also holding a Primary School Balloon Design Competition and judging is under way

The Rolls Royce Heritage Trust will have a display of historical photographs in the Barrrie Shelter, along with a scale model of a Spitfire

A Canberra Bomber cockpit will be open for inspection in the park, courtesy of The Rolls Royce Heritage Trust. There will be rides and other amusements for children, in addition to those permanently available in the park, and local bands playing too

There will be rides and other amusements for children, in addition to those permanently available in the park, and local bands playing too

We’ll have an action-packed programme, from early afternoon, including new features and old favourites, such as the display by Calum Maider with his Avon Valley Falcons

The Drakes of Hazard - an event not to be missed – a sheepdog trialling with ducks

A recently formed re-enactment company, Medieval Clydesdale, will give demonstrations of combat and there will be stalls demonstrating such crafts as arrow making

Microlight Scotland, who operate Strathaven Airfield, Scotland’s premier Microlight venue, will have a static display of aircraft and will also be demonstrating their Hovercraft in the Festival arena, promoting their Open Day, which takes place on Sunday 24th August. Gift vouchers (a flight in a microlight for dad's birthday?) and flying lessons are available

To hire a stall in the park on the days of the festival, see Stall Hires contact details on the Contact page