KUCHING: For the very first time, the Borneo Balloon Fiesta 2020 will be held on April 11 and 12 at the Celebration Square of Stadium Sarawak, Petra Jaya here.
The event will feature beautiful hot air balloons and other fun-filled activities from 6.30m to 9.30pm.
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this would be an event where families could take the opportunity to ride on the hot air balloons and go away with a memorable experience.
Entry to the event is free but the balloon rides require payment.
“This is something Kuchingnites or Sarawakians seldom see. There were two similar events like this on a smaller scale few years ago, but this one is much grander where there will be six hot air balloons,” he said at a press conference at Hilton Hotel yesterday.
“There will be three hot air balloons for rides, and the other three will be on the ground where visitors can walk inside the balloon envelope and pose for photos,” he said.
Those who wish to ride the hot air balloons, it will be RM50 per person and the proceeds will be donated to charity.
“The hot air balloons can fly depending on weather a condition, which is why the organiser set the time into two sessions. For morning session, it will be from 6.30am till 9.30am, and for the evening session it will be from 6pm to 9pm,” he said.
Abdul Karim also said another highlight of the fiesta would be the 8.45pm Night Glow Climax showcasing the balloon burners lighting up the night and syncing to lively music.
“During the day, visitors can have fun with inflatables such as Bubble Soccer Game, Bungee Run, Duck Combo, or take part in games such as Angry Birds, Duck Hunt, Electrifying Maze, Penalty Shoot,” he said, adding that there would also be food and beverages stalls and food trucks.
“A week before the event, the organiser is considering to have the hot air balloons fly from Swinburne University or Padang Merdeka up to the Waterfront or Petra Jaya area – but only if weather permits,” he said.
Meanwhile, hot air balloon pilot Izzati Khairudin said on event day, the hot air balloons would fly up to 18m (60 feet) from the ground.
“Each ride can carry two to three passengers depending on the combined weight of the passengers,” she said.
There will also be an age restriction – the minimum age to is six years old with a minimum height of 1.2m (four feet).
“For safety measures, we will do a weather assessment before the balloon takes off. If the weather is too windy then we will have to wait until it is calm,” she explained.
The event is organised by Nex Vision Sdn Bhd and supported by the Sarawak government.
Also present were Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee and Nex Vision Sdn Bhd managing director Damien Sii.
