An aerial view of the launch field at Ashton Court shows balloons preparing for the mass lift Sunday
An aerial view of the launch field at Ashton Court shows balloons preparing for the mass lift Sunday
Sarah Tilotta for CNN

Story highlights

Huge crowds gathered for a four-day hot air balloon festival in Bristol, England

Hundreds of colorful balloons took to the skies over the West Country

Bristol, UK CNN  — 

More than 150 hot air balloons from around the world gathered for the 38th annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in southwest England this weekend.

The event, which started Thursday at the Ashton Court country estate, attracted around a half a million spectators.

Balloons came from as far afield as Thailand, Latvia, Ireland, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands for this year’s event.

Passengers of a balloon (center), brush against the inflating envelope of another balloon as they lift off en mass on Saturday.
Passengers of a balloon (center), brush against the inflating envelope of another balloon as they lift off en mass on Saturday.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
This balloon, from London grocery store Fortnum & Mason, was the first to lift off during a mass ascent Saturday. A total of 71 balloons took off that evening.
This balloon, from London grocery store Fortnum & Mason, was the first to lift off during a mass ascent Saturday. A total of 71 balloons took off that evening.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
An armada of balloons drifts over Long Ashton, near the fiesta site.
An armada of balloons drifts over Long Ashton, near the fiesta site.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
Thousands gather at Ashton Court Estate to attend the annual fiesta each August. In addition to balloon lifts, the festival includes fairground rides, performances from parachute teams and vintage aircraft flypasts.
Thousands gather at Ashton Court Estate to attend the annual fiesta each August. In addition to balloon lifts, the festival includes fairground rides, performances from parachute teams and vintage aircraft flypasts.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
Mass ascents scheduled for Friday and early Saturday couldn't take place due to windy weather. But dozens managed to get off the ground on Saturday evening and again Sunday, much to the delight of the crowd.
Mass ascents scheduled for Friday and early Saturday couldn't take place due to windy weather. But dozens managed to get off the ground on Saturday evening and again Sunday, much to the delight of the crowd.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
Four-year-old Pippa Robertshaw, wearing a balloon-print dress, buries her face while waiting for the mass lift to begin.
Four-year-old Pippa Robertshaw, wearing a balloon-print dress, buries her face while waiting for the mass lift to begin.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
An announcement is made that, although still windy, weather conditions will allow for the evening lift to go ahead as planned Saturday, showing the balloons in all their glory.
An announcement is made that, although still windy, weather conditions will allow for the evening lift to go ahead as planned Saturday, showing the balloons in all their glory.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
Thomas Lee, left, and Charlie Rotherham, right, share a moment during the mass lift. Lee says that when you're flying in the balloon, "You've got no point of reference up there. Because you're moving with the wind, there's no sense of speed or distance or anything passing, you're just... floating."
Thomas Lee, left, and Charlie Rotherham, right, share a moment during the mass lift. Lee says that when you're flying in the balloon, "You've got no point of reference up there. Because you're moving with the wind, there's no sense of speed or distance or anything passing, you're just... floating."
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
Pilots attend an early morning briefing on the final day of the fiesta. Before each launch, weather conditions are carefully assessed and crews informed about where they can and cannot land.
Pilots attend an early morning briefing on the final day of the fiesta. Before each launch, weather conditions are carefully assessed and crews informed about where they can and cannot land.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
A model hot air balloon is held just above the ground as the sun goes down over Ashton Court.
A model hot air balloon is held just above the ground as the sun goes down over Ashton Court.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
The Night Glows are one of the highlights of the fiesta, with dozens of balloons blasting their burners in time to the beat of music. The soundtrack is created specially for the fiesta and this year.
The Night Glows are one of the highlights of the fiesta, with dozens of balloons blasting their burners in time to the beat of music. The soundtrack is created specially for the fiesta and this year.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
Crew members from Cameron Balloons participate in the Night Glow. The Bristol-based company is the largest manufacturer of hot air balloons in the world.
Crew members from Cameron Balloons participate in the Night Glow. The Bristol-based company is the largest manufacturer of hot air balloons in the world.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
Following the Night Glow display, balloons are quickly deflated as a spectacular fireworks show begins.
Following the Night Glow display, balloons are quickly deflated as a spectacular fireworks show begins.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
A family watches and waits for the morning lift on Sunday as balloons inflate on the launch field.
A family watches and waits for the morning lift on Sunday as balloons inflate on the launch field.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
The pale green Fortnum & Mason balloon begins a careful ascent between other balloons during the mass lift on the final morning of the fiesta.
The pale green Fortnum & Mason balloon begins a careful ascent between other balloons during the mass lift on the final morning of the fiesta.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
World champion balloon pilot David Bareford watches the positions of other balloons nearby. Bareford and his co-pilot, John Coleman, explained that winds at different altitudes tend to move in different directions. The skill of a balloon pilot is in understanding this, they said.
World champion balloon pilot David Bareford watches the positions of other balloons nearby. Bareford and his co-pilot, John Coleman, explained that winds at different altitudes tend to move in different directions. The skill of a balloon pilot is in understanding this, they said.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN

Related: Hot air balloon with 16 aboard crashes in Texas; no survivors

A lone balloon is seen floating in overcast skies.
A lone balloon is seen floating in overcast skies.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
A balloon drifts just above the treeline near a camp site at Ashton Court.
A balloon drifts just above the treeline near a camp site at Ashton Court.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
The wicker basket of the Fortnum & Mason balloon is seen high above the town of Long Ashton, four miles west of Bristol. Despite many decades of balloon manufacturing and development, traditional cane wicker is still the preferred material for balloon baskets, due to its lightweight and durable flexibility.
The wicker basket of the Fortnum & Mason balloon is seen high above the town of Long Ashton, four miles west of Bristol. Despite many decades of balloon manufacturing and development, traditional cane wicker is still the preferred material for balloon baskets, due to its lightweight and durable flexibility.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
The aircraft could be seen for miles around during the mass ascents. A couple watches the Fortnum & Mason balloon pass over their back garden in Long Ashton.
The aircraft could be seen for miles around during the mass ascents. A couple watches the Fortnum & Mason balloon pass over their back garden in Long Ashton.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
What goes up must come down: a balloon prepares to land on a recreation field in Long Ashton, where residents have gathered to watch.
What goes up must come down: a balloon prepares to land on a recreation field in Long Ashton, where residents have gathered to watch.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
Balloon pilot David Bareford deflates the Fortnum & Mason aircraft's envelope.
Balloon pilot David Bareford deflates the Fortnum & Mason aircraft's envelope.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
David Bareford, left, and John Coleman load the Fortnum & Mason basket into a van, before returning to Ashton Court Sunday. Over the course of his balloon piloting days in Kenya, Coleman says he flew 38,000 passengers, including Al Gore. "I always say about ballooning, we're in the happiness and memory business."
David Bareford, left, and John Coleman load the Fortnum & Mason basket into a van, before returning to Ashton Court Sunday. Over the course of his balloon piloting days in Kenya, Coleman says he flew 38,000 passengers, including Al Gore. "I always say about ballooning, we're in the happiness and memory business."
Sarah Tilotta for CNN
The Despicable Me balloon, a crowd favorite shown at the center here, was the scene of a marriage proposal just before the mass lift Saturday. Chris Tozer, 31, from Bristol, proposed to Ellen Calvert, also 31 and from the city, moments before the hot air balloon took off. She said yes.
The Despicable Me balloon, a crowd favorite shown at the center here, was the scene of a marriage proposal just before the mass lift Saturday. Chris Tozer, 31, from Bristol, proposed to Ellen Calvert, also 31 and from the city, moments before the hot air balloon took off. She said yes.
Sarah Tilotta for CNN