Six Days Left for Taitung Hot Air Balloons – Hilarious "Jeans" Design Makes Its Debut

▲ No kidding — this is a giant hot air balloon shaped like a pair of jeans. (Photo provided by Taitung County Government)

Reported by Chen Zi-Yin / Comprehensive Report

The "2013 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival" held in Luye Plateau, Taitung, has entered its final countdown. Today (the 5th) also brought great weather, allowing the hot air balloons to soar together in the sky. All the cool designs have made an appearance, including the newest one — the "Jeans Balloon" stealth cowboy hot air balloon, which looks incredibly fun and amusing.

The four featured balloons that debuted at 6:30 AM include the "Jeans Balloon" stealth cowboy design — the tallest hot air balloon to appear in Taiwan, standing at 40 meters high and resembling a giant soaring through the sky. There's also the flying saucer balloon modeled after the spaceship from the movie "Independence Day," which has the maximum width of 35 meters, making it the widest hot air balloon. It’s said that when flown abroad, it’s often mistaken for a real alien UFO. In addition, there’s the can-shaped balloon — the "Joy Collector," which has been flying in Europe for many years and symbolizes spreading joy while encouraging donations. And then there’s the "Happy Bird," a high-altitude version of the yellow rubber duck, with a novel design that really catches the eye.


▲ %The planned launch was postponed for a day, not because of weather, but due to a technical issue. (Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival Facebook page)



Previously launched hot air balloons such as the upside-down twin balloons, heart-shaped design, Star Wars Darth Vader, and Angry Birds-themed balloons each attracted large crowds of visitors for viewing and rides, successfully creating the "hot air balloon spectacle" effect. The organizers have added four more specially designed balloons for free flight performances — four uniquely shaped balloons competing in size, length, and coolness, plus the ongoing displays of the upside-down and heart-shaped balloons, making this year’s event the most diverse in terms of hot air balloon designs.

 
▲ Previous Darth Vader and upside-down twin balloons helped generate huge excitement for the event. (Photo taken from the Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival Facebook fan page)

Magistrate Huang Jian-Ting stated that the 2013 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival has been full of surprises every day. Since opening on June 1, it has successfully attracted 700,000 visitors to Luye Plateau. Despite the impact of two typhoons, visitor numbers in July and August were similar to the same period last year, and June saw 280,000 visitors.

In addition, Taitung County Government will extend the "Free Flight Aerial Tour" experience (from August 13, 2013, to September 30, 2013); moreover, colorful hot air balloons will continue to fly over the vast grasslands of Luye Plateau, bringing joy to everyone until the end of August.


▲ Taitung County Government previously announced the extension of the hot air balloon festival until the end of August. (Photo provided by Taitung County Government)