Alter do Chão, Fronteira, Monforte, Ponte de Sor and the Abreu Callado Foundation (in Benavila) will be the festival's host locations. In this edition, the event will feature the participation of 30 teams from different countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Netherlands and Belgium).
The 27th International Hot Air Balloon Festival promises to light up the skies of the Alentejo, where the population is also invited to live the unforgettable experience of flying, through the purchase of solidarity bracelets, the proceeds of which go towards the Volunteer Firefighters of participating locations.
“This is a festival that promises to take to the sky all those who dare to dream and fly in a hot air balloon”, says Maria Inês Soares from the organisation, to emphasise that “our social and environmental concern is once again present at FIBAQ, therefore the flights to be carried out will be associated with solidarity campaigns that fully benefit the Volunteer Firefighters of the participating municipalities.”
In this edition, the organisation provides, free of charge, among several activities, a Night Glow, a nighttime show that is often considered the climax of a hot air balloon festival. The pilots prepare their balloons as if they were going to take off, however, they are stuck a few meters from the ground, where the flames released, alternately, by the burners create a unique visual spectacle that combines light, colour and music. This show takes place on November 9th, at 7:45 pm, in Ponte de Sor, with free entry.
The organization of the festival is, as always, the responsibility of Publibalão and is co-organised by Alentejo without Borders – Clube de Balonismo, founded in November 2012, being the first and only school in the country for hot air balloon pilots, based in Fronteira, in the Alto Alentejo