Bow-wow!

A mammoth canine and a nursery rhyme classic will feature in the skies over Wairarapa in the ninth annual international balloon fiesta being staged across the region next month.

Man’s best friend will fly alongside children’s favourite Humpty Dumpty and up to 28 other hot air balloons in the five-day event held from 14 to 18 March.

Beagle Maximus from Orlando Florida, will make his first appearance in the Southern Hemisphere at the Wairarapa event, flown by his owner and pilot Kenny Shumate. Affectionately known as ‘Max’ the balloon was created by Aeromagic USA in 2005. Standing 25 metres high, he weighs 237 kilos, is 37 metres long, 14 metres wide and holds almost 3,000 cubic metres of hot air.

But he’ll be barking up the wrong tree if he’s worried about an upside down Humpty Dumpty. The nursery rhyme favourite, aptly named “Off the Wall”, will defy gravity and drift skywards over Wairarapa towns and countryside. From Texas, USA, and flown by his owner and pilot Mike Loy, Humpty weighs 136 kilos, stands on his head 24 metres high and holds 2,266 cubic metres of air.

The two special shapes will be joined by balloons from overseas and throughout New Zealand for nine separate events and competitions at locations throughout Wairarapa.

The programme include two mass launches from Carterton’s Clareville Showgrounds, a Saturday “splash ‘n’ dash” over Masterton’s Henley Lake, visits to local schools and the fiesta highlight, the Genesis Energy Night Glow on Saturday 17 March at Masterton’s Solway Showgrounds.

New launch venues this year include Wairarapa College on the Friday evening and Featherston on the Friday morning as part of the town’s 150th Anniversary celebrations. Pilots will parade through Carterton’s main street on Wednesday evening putting on a fiery burner display.

Community-owned Trust House becomes the event’s principal sponsor this year, building in its strong support of the fiesta since it began in 1999. The three Wairarapa District Councils, Genesis Energy, Pelorus Trust, Copthorne Resort Solway Park Wairarapa Times-Age, More FM and a variety of other local and national organisations also support the event which is almost fully funded through grants and sponsorship. All events are free for the public to attend except for the Night Glow for which there is a nominal charge.

The first four days of the fiesta will be held for the first time during daylight saving hours, giving pilots and spectators an extra hour’s kip in the morning, with dawn events starting between 7am and 7.30am.

Blenheim pilot Martyn Stacey will act as ‘balloonmeister’ this year, directing the various events. Martyn has attended all Wairarapa fiestas and is the president of the Ballooning Association of NZ.

ENDS

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