4 March 2021

Canberra Balloon Spectacular centrepiece revealed

| Dominic Giannini
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The Canberra Balloon Spectacular

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular will begin on 6 March. Photo: Supplied.

Allycorn, the giant pink unicorn from New York, will gallivant around Canberra for the first time this Saturday (6 March) as part of the annual Canberra Balloon Spectacular.

The unmissable balloon will join over 20 others launching at 6:15 am each morning until Sunday 14 March from the Patrick White Lawns between the National Library of Australia and Lake Burley Griffin.

Canberra pilot Craig Farrell, who has flown hot air balloons all over the world, including Allycorn in Malaysia last year, will again be taking the reigns of the 105,000 cubic foot, eight-storey tall unicorn.

“It is a reasonably tall balloon and reasonably slim as unicorns are, as they need to be very fit and healthy,” according to Mr Farrell.

Skywhale and Skywhalepapa

Skywhale and Skywhalepapa will take flight for a special Canberra Day event on 8 March. Photo: @rinnoir.

Skywhalepapa and the original Skywhale will also be on show for a special Canberra Day event on Monday (8 March), adding to the array of fantasy creatures that will pepper Canberra’s skies next week.

Skywhalepapa and Skywhale will be launched from John Dunmore Lang Place.

Flight operator for Balloons Aloft in Canberra, John Wallington, who has been flying balloons for 35 years and takes flight well over 100 times a year in Canberra, said the massive “special shape” balloon are as easy to fly as any other.

“The special shapes get all the attention and are wonderful, but from a flying perspective, they are like any other balloon – except there is more material to pack up once you’re on the ground,” he laughed.

The 36th Canberra Balloon Spectacular is free to attend but registration is required to ensure that the event remains COVID-safe.

Breakfast will be available from the Belconnen Lions Club every morning. Coffee, Dutch poffertjes and sweet and savoury crepes will also be on sale.

For more information visit the Canberra Balloon Spectacular.

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