Hunter Valley
NIGHT GLOW! Back To Dazzle Roche Estate in 2019 WORDS Mia Kyrikos
With a long and daring history, hot air ballooning has, for the most part, seen it all. Believe it or not, the first “manned” hot air balloon took flight on the 19th of September 1783. The balloon held passengers including a sheep, duck and rooster. Understandably, this was quite a sight to behold. Not long after this, the first real manned flight saw lift off on the 21st of November 1783 in Paris, France. The pilots were Pilatre De Rozier and Marquis d’Arlandes. These two men flew for about 20 minutes and travelled roughly 8 kilometres, landing safely and receiving awards for their brave efforts.
yhv 24 | MARCH 2019
And brave they were! Built by the infamous Montgolfier brothers, the balloon was practically made from paper. Combined with air on the inside being heated by an open fire, this was clearly not ideal. Fast forward 236 years later, hot air balloon technology has thankfully seen many advances. Rather than a serious mode of transport, hot air balloons have become for some a leisure activity and for others a sport. What hasn't changed is that to this day, hot air balloons are still considered a sight to behold. With this in mind, it is no wonder that major hot air ballooning festivals have become so popular worldwide. Luckily for us, we even have one in our very own backyard. Following the roaring success of the first event, Hunter Valley Night Glow is back to dazzle crowds at Roche Estate on Saturday 13th April 2019! Hosted by Balloon Aloft and Roche Estate, the event will no doubt offer a fantastic start to the school holidays for both kids and parents alike. ►
