12 Spectacular Hot Air Balloons

Take a look at these out-of-the-ordinary floating attractions

By Olivia Putnal

Here’s a little-known fact: When the first-ever hot air balloon met the sky in 1783, its passengers were not its inventors, brothers Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier, but instead an unlikely trio that included a sheep, duck and rooster. Since then, the technology and capabilities of hot air balloons have skyrocketed—but it’s their design that has seen the most transformation today, with examples as colorful and varied as those first on-board passengers. From a giant Star Wars–inspired Darth Vader balloon to an adorable floating ladybug, below, check out a dozen extraordinary balloons from festivals around the world.

Bagpipe Player

This bagpiper-shaped balloon was spotted at the Canberra Balloon Fiesta in Canberra, Australia, in 2006. For more than 20 years, the annual festival has attracted thousands of spectators from around the world, and includes activities such as balloon rides and performances from local bands. Photo courtesy of Ben Harris-Roxas

Miss Daisy

The 2008 Plano Balloon Festival in Plano, Texas, was the host to this blooming balloon. The festival takes place in September of each year, and this year’s upcoming gathering will mark the 30th anniversary of the event. The annual festival receives approximately 95,000 visitors each year, and offers plenty of family-friendly fun, including balloon launches, skydiving performances, concerts, arts and crafts, and a special kids’ zone. Photo courtesy of Scott Armstrong via flickr

Darth Vader

Balloons over Waikato is an annual event that has been celebrated in Hamilton, New Zealand, since 1988. The 2008 festival was one of the most impressive to date, including a higher volume and variety of balloons than ever before. This Darth Vader balloon was one such example, and was captured on film by a resident of the neighboring area. Photo courtesy of Tharrin Way via flickr

Pig

These grinning pig balloons were on display at the 2008 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place in Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In addition to watching the amusing balloons float by, attendees of this event can also embark on their own exhilarating hot air balloon ride. Be sure to purchase your online tickets in advance to secure your seat in the sky. Photo courtesy of Joey Madrigal

Tyrone the T-Rex

London, Ontario’s Hot Air Balloon Festival of 2006 featured this ferocious-looking dinosaur balloon. The dino is a veteran of the event, which has been hosted in London from 1983 to 2008 and begins on the first Monday of August. Photo courtesy of Valerie Klint

Hopper T. Frog

Measuring 14 feet wide and 3 ½ feet in diameter, this frog isn’t your ordinary slimy amphibian. A competing hot air balloon disguised as a frog prince, this is the crown jewel of the largest free hot air ballooning festival in the nation, The Great Reno Balloon Race in Reno, Nevada. Every year the event draws a crowd of 140,000 people who gather to watch more than 100 balloons race across 10 miles of sky above the Truckee Meadows valley. Photo courtesy of Pink Pepper via flickr

Energizer Bunny

Eyes to the Skies in Lisle, Illinois, recently celebrated its 29th anniversary of ballooning and entertainment. The yearly festival typically falls on the Fourth of July weekend, and involves a wide array of events, including a carnival, parade, craft fair, fireworks and—of course—the balloon festival. The balloon version of this familiar bunny, which was launched into the sky at dusk, was a crowd favorite at the 2008 event. Photo courtesy of Bret via flickr

Quick Chek Fresh Farm

These friendly barnyard animals are having a gas housed in this giant floating farm, complete with a 61-foot silo and 30-foot-tall farmer. The full-house balloon was spotted high in the sky at the famous Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning of 2009 in Readington. Photo courtesy of Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning

Ladybug

Each October, the sunny skies of New Mexico are filled with a parade of air balloons during Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta. During last year’s celebration, this precious ladybug floated in the cloudless expanse of blue over the city. Photo courtesy of Craig Wells via flickr

Pepsi Super Can

One of America’s most beloved soda pops came to life at the three-day Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. This 110-foot-tall construction definitely stole the show during the 2008 festivities, and was a hands-down crowd favorite. Photo courtesy of Craig Wells via flickr

Peacock

Malaysian resident Muhammad Nor was driving across Kuala Lumpur one morning last March when he happened to encounter this buoyant peacock air balloon soaring above the city. When his car broke down, he took the opportunity to snap this striking picture. Photo courtesy of Muhammad Nor via flickr

PNC American Flag

It’s always nice to see some American pride up in the sky, especially when you’re looking at the world’s largest free-flying American flag. (The balloon is 53 feet tall, 78 feet wide and 29 feet deep.) This remarkable structure rose to great applause at the 2009 world-renowned Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. Photo courtesy of Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning