Bring Darth Vader to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

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£5,415 was raised by 161 supporters — that's teamwork!


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With your help we've managed to bring the Darth Vader balloon home, please continue to feel the force & support the iconic Bristol Balloon Fiesta

If you have any questions about your pledge or reward please send a private message to the Balloon Fiesta or email alex@weareplaster.com


The Darth Vader special shape hot air balloon was built in Bristol by Cameron Balloons but has never flown in this fine city (we know!).  The incredible feat of engineering has toured the world and been photographed over Australia, United States, China and Malaysia (to name just a few) but has never flown in the skies over Brunel’s Suspension Bridge, the coloured houses of Totterdown and the city that Vader himself David Prowse called home.

This year, as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta celebrates the icons of Bristol, we will bring the balloon home so it can rightfully join this year’s festivities, which take place from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 August.

We have been able to do this, thanks to your help! The funds we’ve raised so far have covered the costs to bring this impressive balloon to Bristol for the Fiesta. 

Now, we will continue to offer incredible rewards in return for donations to support this iconic event.

Not many people realise this but the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a not-for-profit event, it receives no public funding and each year, led by a committee of volunteers, the organisers raise the £750,000 it takes to put on this event, which brings balloons to the skies of Bristol and puts us on the international map.

While each year through relentless energy, passion and hard work we just about manage to raise the required funds to put on this incredible event, we’re left with very little reserves to really add something special to the programme and protect the event for future years to come.

With your help we wish to change that. Over to you, it’s time to feel the force and be rewarded.

                                                                                                                                             

Support & Be Rewarded

With a magical event like this, we have some money-can’t-buy experiences as well as some really nice rewards in return for you support! 

So by giving to this crowdfund you won’t just be left with that warm, fuzzy feeling that you’ve helped support our event. You'll be helping us to keep it free for the thousands that visit and watch all over the city. 

The Team

The Fiesta is overseen by a voluntary board of directors who then appoint a voluntary organising committee and flying committee, with the event management outsourced to an external provider who organise all the lovely onsite logistics. Come the event, it takes a massive team of 1,100 people to put on the event, 800 of whom are volunteers. The Fiesta truly is an event by Bristol for Bristol.

Thank You

Let us take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to our sponsors, partners, suppliers and all the incredible volunteers that put an incredible level of energy and passion into delivering this magical event. We couldn’t do it without every single one of you.

 

 

 

 

£5,415

pledged of £10,000 goal (GBP)

54% pledged

161 backers

This is an open ended project. There is no time limit and payments are taken straight away.

Get these rewards

£40 – Bristol Balloon Fiesta Mass Ascent Print

2 people want this

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This is an A3 print of an incredible photo taken during a mass ascent at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in 2017 by Paul Box.

£145 – Balloon Flight in the Tribute Hot Air Balloon

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Courtesy of St Austell, take to the skies in the Tribute hot air balloon. Please note balloon flights are subject to availability and it may not be possible to claim this reward during the Balloon Fiesta. All flights are subject to weather conditions,

£400 – Balloon flight for two people

2 people want this

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Fly in a hot air balloon with a guest of your choice. Please note balloon flights are subject to availability and it may not be possible to claim this reward during the Balloon Fiesta. All flights are subject to weather conditions,

£100 – Factory Tour at Cameron Balloons

4 people want this

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Take a tour (for up to 4 people) of the Cameron Balloons factory in Bristol, the world's largest manufacturer of hot air balloons. This is an incredibly unique opportunity to see behind the scenes, walk through waves of fabric and see the machinists at work as they build these incredible feats on engineering.

£60 – Summer Fiesta - Giclee Print by Jenny Urquhart

1 person wants this

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This Summer Fiesta giclee print by Jenny Urquhart is inspired by dozens of walks through Leigh Woods, with the sun streaming down onto a sea of dandelions and balloons gently float overhead.

Size - 37cm x 24cm, unframed

Limited Edition of 250, signed and numbered by the artist.

Please note as the artist is away until mid-August, this print reward will not be delivered until late August

£20 – City of Bristol Balloons Coasters by Jenni Stuart - Set of 4

2 people want this

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A set of 4 City of Balloons coasters by local artist Jenni Stuart. These hard backed coasters are 9x9cm with a shiny finish.

£80 – PERSONALISED Bristol Belle print by Jenny Urquhart

1 person wants this

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The Bristol Belle was the first modern hot-air balloon in Britain. This picture celebrates the achievement of Bristol's Balloon pilots.

Print is 54cm x 36.6cm, unframed signed and numbered edition of 250.

This print can be personalised with your own name(s) or messages in the balloons. Please note this reward will not be delivered until late August.

£20 – A tour of Thatchers for 2

10 people want this

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Enjoy a guided tour of Thatchers, where you’ll learn about how Thatcher's craft their ciders on Myrtle Farm and get the chance to try a few ciders too!

You’ll see how times have changed over the 100 years of cider making and we’re sure you’ll hear a story or two about the Thatcher Family!

£30 – This Is Our Bristol - A2 Print by Jenny Urquhart

1 person wants this

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This unframed A2 print by Bristol artist, Jenny Urquhart that plays homage to what makes Bristol, Bristol.

Please note as the artist is away until mid-August, this print reward will not be delivered until late August.

£5 – Big FIesta thanks!

1 person wants this

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Receive a huge thank you from us and that warm, rewarding feeling that you've supported a much-loved event

£10 – Support the balloon teams!

4 people want this

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An even bigger thank you from the Fiesta team, as well as a copy of the 2019 programme

£30 – Bristol Balloons print by Jenni Stuart

1 person wants this

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Unframed A3 print, signed and numbered by local artist, Jenni Stuart.

£40 – Official Icons of Bristol Print by Bemmie

10 people want this

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Local artist Bemmie has designed a special edition poster to commemorate the 'Icons of Bristol' theme for the 2019 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

£15 – Balloons over the Toll Bridge, Bristol Print

1 person wants this

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A beautiful open edition signed A3 print of the vibrant Bristol collage 'Balloons over the Toll Bridge' by Bristol artist Emmeline Simpson.

Printed in Bristol on high quality 250gsm paper
Actual image size is 38.5cm x 25.5cm.

£100 – Hot Air Balloon Baby Quilt

1 person wants this

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Designed by Katy Ferrari, this quilted throw is perfect for cooler nights, and for layering with cozy blankets and sheets; screen printed with my exclusive hot air balloon design this quilt is just the right size for a cot, crib or toddler bed.

The front of the quilt is printed with my hot air balloons design, in fog/charcoal colour.

£15 – Clifton Balloons Tea Towel

1 person wants this

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Beautiful 'Clifton Balloons' print tea towel, made in the UK by Bristol artist Emmeline Simpson.

£90 – 'Early Morning Ascent' Giclee Print by Emmeline Simpson

1 person wants this

Get this reward

'Early Morning Ascent' is by local artist, Emmeline Simpson. This is a limited edition A3 giclee print (1 of only 50), hand-signed by the artist.

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