By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Team

The annual Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival, which draws crowds every summer, is entering its final countdown. On the 26th, Taitung County Government, the organizer, held a press conference personally chaired by Magistrate Huang Jian-ting to announce that the 2014 Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival — the longest-running event of its kind in the world and the largest in scale across the nation — will take place from May 30 to August 1, spanning 73 days. The festival will kick off at 6 PM on May 30 at the international landmark in Taitung City’s Seaside Park with the first-ever hot air balloon light & sound concert. Visitors are invited to Taitung to experience the beauty, romance, and vibrant energy of hot air balloons. The opening night’s light & sound concert is not only the curtain-raiser for the entire event but also marks the very first international hot air balloon light & sound concert to be held entirely in Taiwan.

All eight balloons are from Taitung, operated by eight pilots trained locally in Taiwan. As for the music, Deputy Conductor He Hongqi of the Zhuzhengqing Percussion Ensemble composed a medley themed around Taitung, featuring rearranged versions of three iconic and meaningful local songs: “Song of the Nanwang Tribe,” “The Naluwan Suite,” and “Let’s Go to Taitung.”The most eye-catching element, the lighting effects, is helmed by lighting design master Che Keqian, who previously worked on the 2009 “Kaohsiung World Games Opening & Closing Ceremonies” and the 2013 stage production “Taiwan Dancer.” He brings world-class lighting effects to this opening show, blending the fiery glow of the hot air balloons with the dazzling brilliance of the international landmark to create an ultimate romantic night under the South Pacific skies.

The newest member of Taitung County’s hot air balloon fleet — B00011, sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Bureau of Foreign Trade and Industry — will also make its debut at this opening light & sound concert. The event will also feature exciting performances such as the Baobao Drum Team representing Taitung’s local culture, and the Lanxin Band, which won first place in the 2012 Original Band Awards. It’s definitely something to look forward to.

Chen Shu-hui, Director of the Tourism Division of Taitung County Government, stated that to effectively manage traffic flow during the opening night, road access to intersections east of Linhai Road near the Seaside Park will be restricted from 4:30 PM on May 30 until the end of the event — cars are prohibited (except for disabled vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles), and visitors are advised to park along nearby Linhai Road and Siwei Road before walking to the venue. Additionally, to facilitate travel, free shuttle buses will run between the Nanjing Road Bus Terminal and the festival venue from 5:00–8:00 PM (departures) and 6:30–9:30 PM (returns), departing every 15 minutes or when full, with two temporary stops at the intersection of Siwei Road and Guangdong Road and the intersection of Siwei Road and Linhai Road. Please make use of these services.

The official website also features a “Balloon Chase Calendar” that details the scheduled appearance dates of shaped balloons, free-flight performance balloons, and tethered balloons, making it easier to book your own personalized Taitung hot air balloon holiday. Moreover, to help the public keep track of the weather conditions at Luye Gaotai and event updates, this year the Taitung County Tourism website continues its live video streaming service. Even more thoughtfully, the county government’s Planning Department has established 250 Wi-Fi hotspots in scenic areas, densely populated zones, and high-traffic locations across Taitung. Each hotspot covers a 200-meter radius, so visitors at the balloon event can simply search for “Taitung Free” to easily connect to the internet.

Beyond the spectacular opening light & sound concert on the evening of May 30, the early morning of May 31 at 6:30 AM will bring another highlight of the festival. In addition to the much-anticipated Black Knight-shaped balloon taking flight at Luye Gaotai, nearly twenty hot air balloons are scheduled to perform free flights that day, aiming to set a new record for the most hot air balloons simultaneously flying freely in Taiwan. Visitors are welcome to take advantage of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday to come to Taitung for a hot air balloon adventure.

Aside from the hot air balloon festivities at Luye Gaotai, this year Taitung County Government has, for the first time, collaborated with Taiwan Good Foundation, leveraging its expertise in events and international marketing. Following the opening light & sound concert, they’ve also launched a variety of engaging activities in downtown Taitung, including the Painted Hot Air Balloon Festival, Taitung Picnic Life Festival, and FENWIND Band Music Festival. All are welcome to join in the fun.

In addition, this year’s Taiwan International Hot Air Balloon Festival eventadds 360-degree thoughtful services: “Book Your Exclusive Hot Air Balloon Experience” offers special reservation services for couples in love and travelers seeking memorable moments — such as marriage proposals (limited to Mondays), wedding photoshoots (limited to Wednesdays), or creating a one-of-a-kind personal moment (limited to Tuesdays). During the “Birthday Celebration” period from June 1 to August 10, visitors celebrating their birthdays on the day can...“Grassland Starry Sky Rock & Battle Your Passion” – Grassland concerts every Thursday to Sunday will feature rotating battles among bands, independent artists, and local Taitung singers, aiming to ignite your passion and shake the high platform with music. For event details, please check the hot air balloon official website or call 089-241269.

Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festival: 9 Hot Air Balloons Take Off at Luye Highlands