Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival Takes Flight in a Colorful Spectacle – Darth Vader and Yoda Soar Together!

▲The 2017 Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival launched this morning. (Photo / from theTaiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival - Taiwan Balloon Festivalofficial Facebook page; the same applies to all subsequent photos)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival commenced today at Luye Gaotai in Taitung, with 20 colorful hot air balloons ascending gradually with the morning sunlight. Themed balloons such as Darth Vader, Yoda, and a pink pig floated above Taitung’s valley under the blue sky, drawing the attention of over 3,000 onlookers and adding vibrancy to July in Taitung!

The Taitung County Government stated that a total of 35 shaped balloons have been invited to participate in the 2017 festival, the highest number in its history. This year’s Hot Air Balloon Festival runs from July 1 to August 6, divided into three periods and three major themes: Happy Alliance, Dream Ocean Heart, and Passionate Samba Carnival.

▲The first wave of balloons to take flight included Darth Vader, Yoda, Upside Down Boy, and Woody Bird.

The first wave featured 10 members of the Happy Alliance, including Belgium’s Darth Vader, the UK’s Yoda-shaped balloon, the UK’s Soldier Balloon, Brazil’s child star Woody Bird, the US’s Parrot Balloon, the Flying Pink Pig, and the Upside Down Boy. These super cute balloons kept the crowd busy taking photos.

▲The event site was bustling, with Magistrate Wang Jian-ting also attending the first day’s activities.

The second and third waves of shaped balloons were equally eye-catching, featuring Brazil’s Hug Balloon, Puppy Balloon, and Blue Rooster Balloon, along with Japan’s Love Balloon and Taiwan’s Love Balloon, flying together in a heartwarming display that was utterly adorable.

2017 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival

Location: Luye Gaotai, Taitung
Hot Air Balloon Tethered Flight Experience Times: Daily from July 1 to August 6, 5:30 AM – 7:30 AM (tickets on sale at 5:00 AM) / 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (tickets on sale at 4:00 PM)

Light Show Sessions

June 30 – Taitung County Stadium, Taitung City – Time: 8:00 PM
July 8 – Sanxiantai, Chenggong Township – Sunrise Event – Time: 4:30 AM
July 15 – Dapozih, Chishang Township – Time: 8:00 PM
July 22 – Taimali Sunrise Park – Time: 4:30 AM
July 29 – Zhiben Hot Springs, Beinan Township – Time: 8:00 PM
August 6 – Luye Gaotai – Time: 8:00 PM