YORK Balloon Fiesta has taken off from the Knavesmire with festival goers watching the first mass launch this evening (Friday, September 29).

The spectacular display of colourful balloons included pilots from York and those with international flying experience.

The two-day fun packed festival-style weekend is taking place below the flying balloons and while they are tethered on display during the day. Tomorrow evening (September 30) the skies will be lit up with a TalkTalk Ultra Fibre Optic Night-Glow performance between 8.30pm and 9pm.

Co-organiser and balloon pilot Oliver Webb, said: “It’s been six months in the planning. We are expecting around 10,000 people on Saturday and we look forward to welcoming them.”

Oliver is flying his Munchies Cakeaway red balloon, named after his York business.

He is a first generation pilot who has flown over Europe and skipped school to go on his first balloon flight.

Co-organiser Damian Torrington from Selby has been involved in ballooning for 37 years.

The balloons are flying twice a day, at 7.15am and 4.45pm.

There is a funfair with Victorian-inspired rides, live music, a beer tent, street food stalls and a bird flying show.

Sponsor TalkTalk Untra Fibre Optic are at the site all weekend offering a chance to win a balloon flight for two people. Richard Sinclair, manager for TalkTalk’s Ultra Fibre Optic Broadband said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of such a unique event and we look forward to enjoying the weekend with balloon enthusiasts from across the UK.

“York Balloon Fiesta is also a fantastic opportunity for visitors to meet our Ultra Fibre Optic Broadband team and hear about the steps TalkTalk has taken to transform the city’s digital infrastructure.”

Steve Brown, managing director of Make It York, said: “York is the perfect place to run a hot air balloon fiesta and it will be a brilliant spectacle to see 50 balloons in the skies above York Racecourse.

“We hope this festival can grow to become one of the city’s best loved events, drawing thousands of additional visitors every autumn.”

There will be a fly-in from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter on Sunday afternoon offering children the opportunity to sit in the aircraft. Yorkshire Fire & Rescue will also have a fire engine on site for children to explore and for adults there will be beer and gin tasting tomorrow evening. Public balloon rides will not be available this year as the 50 hot air balloons attending are flown by private pilots for sport. The event is free to enter with a £6 charge for car parking.