In recent years, hot air balloon events have become a popular trend. This year, in addition to the Taitung International Hot Air Balloon Carnival, Kaohsiung City will also host the “2013 Soaring Over Chengcing Lake – Kaohsiung City Hot Air Balloon Carnival” series of hot air balloon activities from July 6 to August 11. This event will feature four pioneering highlights: hot air balloons ascending over the lake, a waterborne holographic light show with hot air balloons, a Walk-In hot air balloon exploration tour, and an urban-style hot air balloon carnival. The event will also gather hot air balloons and pilots from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Slovenia, New Zealand, and India. Among them, the American Felix the Cat and coffee cup-shaped hot air balloons will make their first-ever appearances in Taiwan.
This year’s event is divided into four major zones, taking place across the expansive 400-hectare Chengcing Lake park. In addition to hot air balloon rides, there will also be a Hot Air Balloon Training Summer Camp. The camp curriculum includes an introduction to basic hot air balloon knowledge, tethered balloon operation and riding experiences, and is divided into youth and children’s camps. Registration is now open. The Hot Air Balloon Walk-In Exploration Tour allows visitors to step inside the massive balloon envelope to explore its internal structure and the mysteries of flight. There will also be the dazzling Hot Air Balloon Waterborne Holographic Light Show, which will take place every Saturday evening from 7:30 to 7:45 PM during the event period, for a total of six shows. Various hot air balloons will ignite and flicker in sync with music, creating spectacular visuals. Combined with fireworks, laser effects, lighting, music, and reflections on the water, the show will deliver a stunning audiovisual experience.
The image shows a simulated scene of the event, where the American Felix the Cat-shaped hot air balloon will make its first appearance in Taiwan. (Photo provided by Shangfeng Leisure Development)
During the event period, there will also be flight performances and displays, including stunt kite shows and remote-controlled glider stunt performances, operated by professional teams flying a variety of uniquely shaped kites and gliders across the sky. A drone exhibition will be thoughtfully curated by the National Cheng Kung University Aerospace Research Institute and the Advanced Power Systems Research Center. In conjunction with the carnival, the organizers have also planned a “World Ice Cream Carnival” themed exhibition, featuring hot air balloon-themed ice cream, international specialty ice creams, Taiwanese specialty ice creams, ICE CREAM, DIY shaved ice experiences, DIY cotton candy experiences, and more. The event will also include a Hot Air Balloon Cultural Pavilion, a Hot Air Balloon History Pavilion, a Joyful Balloon Pavilion, a Chinese and Western Food Street, a special sale of local agricultural products, souvenirs, a family fun castle, and a 3D flying action cinema, ensuring visitors create beautiful memories at Kaohsiung’s Chengcing Lake. Event website: http://ezmon.tw.
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