Soaring New Hieghts

Soaring to new heights: Community

launches are back at this year’s Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

After the huge success of last year’s Fiesta community launches with Costa Coffee, which saw hundreds of hot air balloons take off from secret locations across Bristol, the much-loved launches will once again be returning to this year's Balloon Fiesta to officially kick off 2022’s festivities. The landmark partnership between the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and the Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop*, Costa Coffee, will once more bring this special ballooning event back to the city ahead of the Fiesta, which will return to its original home at Ashton Court Estate for the first time since before the pandemic.

Following the hugely popular Fiesta Fortnight in 2021, Bristol locals will once again be able to nominate the locations where they would like to see balloons lift off, which could be anywhere from local parks to public spaces, car parks or streets. Nominations are now live on the Fiesta website and locations will be revealed closer to the morning of the ascents.

To find out the final list of locations, residents should stay tuned in to the Fiesta Fortnight’s social media channels, which will include regular updates on all locations and timings to help plan when to head outside to view the balloons flying over the city. 4 For the second year running, Costa Coffee will be fuelling pilots for the early morning ascents by providing coffee. They will also be bringing their Costa Experience Pods back to the city this summer where Fiesta fans will be able to try from its biggest and chilliest new summer drinks menu. Attendees will be able to try the new Frappé, Iced Velvet Latte and FuzeTea Iced Tea ranges. Last year, over 700 nominations were submitted by locals to help choose the balloon launch locations, which included a mass ascent from Elm Park in Filton, Canford Park and Merchants’ Academy in Withywood. Christoph Allcock, Chair of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta said: “After seeing how much-loved the special edition of the Fiesta was last year, we are really looking forward to bringing the community launches back for 2022. We are so thankful to Costa Coffee for partnering with us to help this happen and we can’t wait to see where Fiesta fans want to see the balloons fly from next. It’s important to us that everyone gets to experience the Balloon Fiesta, especially communities that rarely get balloons overhead.”

Rebecca Brock, Commercial and Customer Director at Costa Coffee UK & Ireland said:

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Bristol International Balloon Fiesta on such a fantastic event and offer attendees and coffee lovers the chance to enjoy some amazing drinks from our new summer menu.

Whether your go to is trying our new Frappé and FuzeTea Iced Tea ranges or a fruiter option with our Fruit Coolers, or just a classic Latte or Flat White, we have something for all the family to enjoy while taking in the spectacular views of this event.”

For more information on the Fiesta Fortnight head to www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/

This year, The Reading Agency have teamed up with the Science Museum Group to offer a science-themed challenge; Gadgeteers. Gadgeteers encourages children to have fun reading and discover many aspects of science engagement, including food, fashion, music, and sport. There is something for all young readers to enjoy in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which will feature inspiring books and rewards to keep children entertained. Councillor Ellie King, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Public Health and Communities, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a wonderful way to encourage young readers to get excited about books and reading that’s engaging and fun. We are delighted to be working alongside the Science Museum Group to offer a science-themed challenge this summer. The Gadgeteers-theme aims to show our children that science is all around us, as well as to inspire children to think creatively about science.

“It will be great to see children and families making the most of this fun and free initiative which is both stimulating and educational over the summer holiday.” To take part in Gadgeteers, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library, where they will be given a collector folder to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey. As children read library books, they will receive special stickers, and will be rewarded with a medal and certificate at the end of the challenge. Young readers can also take part online with the digital challenge, with fun online games and rewards. There are lots of events and activities planned at Bristol libraries for families over the summer to celebrate the Summer Reading Challenge, including interesting children’s author events, and arts and crafts. Library staff have also been attending school assemblies across the city to promote the challenge.

Children can find competitions, challenges, author interviews, news, and the book sorter - which recommends what children might like to read next, on the Summer Reading Challenge website throughout the year.