No party without balloons

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FIRST LIGHT: Participants savour a hot drink before the ballooning begins at the Clareville showgrounds in Carterton.

BLOWING IN THE WIND: A party balloon suspended from a vehicle shows the direction and strength of the wind.

BLAST OFF: John Clifton from Nelson tests his burner before inflating his balloon.

UP AND AWAY: The balloons take off.

SKYWARD: The balloons go higher over Carterton.

FAMILY FLIGHT: Father and son team John and Doug Clifton in flight.

SPECTACULAR SCENERY: The Tararua Ranges provide the back drop for the balloons.

PLOTTING THE ROUTE: Navigator Doug Clifton, 16, from Nelson checks the map.

FIELD DAY: A balloon tracks low over farm land.

FARM FLYOVER: Peter King takes his balloon low over farm land.

COMING DOWN: John Clifton brings his balloon in to land in a farmer's paddock.

WHAT A DRAG: Doug Clifton pulls the balloon over after landing so it can be deflated and folded up.

WHAT A DRAG: Doug Clifton pulls the balloon over after landing so it can be deflated and folded up.

ALL DONE: The Cliftons' balloon is packed away.

BALLOON BELLY: Doug Clifton dives on the balloon to pack it down while Liz and John Clifton look on.

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A kaleidoscope of colours greeted Wairarapa residents at the liftoff of the annual balloon fiesta.

Eighteen hot air balloons dotted the clear blue sky after a mass dawn launch from Clareville Showgrounds near Carterton yesterday.

The warm, still conditions were perfect and hundreds of spectators turned out, while cars lined the state highway and rural roads as the giant balloons floated through the sky.

Although the festival, in its 12th year, was under threat two years ago with a loss of sponsorship, the event's director, balloonmeister Martyn Stacey, said it still held a strong appeal and urged the fiesta's organisers to ensure it stayed in Wairarapa.

"It has got so much going for it," he said.

"It's a pristine place to fly, it really is. It's just a shame that the sponsors here don't realise it. It is getting so noticed nationwide, but the local sponsors need to step in. You don't realise what you have till you lose it."

Balloonists continued to woo spectators last night, with a parade down the streets of Carterton. Events scheduled for today include a Splash and Dash at Masterton's Henley Lake at 7.15am and a Night Glow at Colin Pugh Sports Bowl in Masterton from 6.30pm until 9pm.

The fiesta closes tomorrow with a 7.15am flight over Masterton.

- © Fairfax NZ News