Balloon Fiesta Nighttime Spectacular, Canberra

This was the first time the Canberra Balloon Fiesta had held a Nighttime Spectacular. We joined the crowds at Manuka Oval on Saturday evening. Organisers were overwhelmed by the response, an estimated attendance of 7,500 when they'd only anticipated 3,500.

Two bbq sausages in a roll $6.00

But first, a snack to tide us over. We queued for twenty minutes for our barbecued sausages in a roll, which I drenched generously with every sauce available: tomato, mustard and barbecue.

And then the show. The balloons were slowly inflated, rising from their wrinkled slumber for a rave party complete with choreographed synchronised gas blasts set to music.

Young fans with light sabres

The Monsters Inc balloon looks hungry

Fireworks finale

The Canberra Balloon Fiesta happens annually in March/April. The 2007 Nighttime Spectacular took place on Saturday 14 April 2007.

Next post: Dinner at Le Rendezvous, Manuka

Related GrabYourFork posts:
Canberra Road Trip Part 1: Berrima
Canberra Road Trip Part 2: Canberra
Canberra Road Trip Part 3: Balloon Fiesta Nighttime Spectacular
Canberra Road Trip Part 4: Dinner at Les Rendezvous, Manuka
Canberra Road Trip Part 5: Balloon Fiesta at dawn, Old Parliament House
Canberra Road Trip Part 6: Breakfast at The Pancake Parlour, Civic
Canberra Road Trip Part 7: Lunch at Lynwood Cafe, Collector

2 Comments:

At 4/27/2007 12:08 am, case-in-point said…

such excellent photos!

night time photography has always been challenging to me...I still don't know how you took photo 6 - with only one ballon in the back lit up and everything else remaining dark

anyway, I'm glad to find out about the ballon fiesta. Thanks!
At 4/27/2007 1:03 am, Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

Hi case_in_point - Thanks :) Night time photography is hard. I was using a tripod on the night (essential really). Photo 6 was easy - only that balloon was lit up at the time. They were alternating jet blasts in time to music.

Glad you enjoyed the post!