Northampton Balloon Festival 2023
This year will see the return of Northampton's Balloon Festival. It also presents a perfect opportunity to talk about memories of Balloon Festivals through the years
Northampton is known for many things- Shoes, The Cobblers, The Saints, and so much more. However, it is also known for the Northampton Balloon Festival.
The Northampton Balloon Festival was first held in 1990 at the Racecourse, where the Northampton skies were filled with all shapes and sizes of balloons including Rupert Bear and the Chubb Fire Extinguisher. Through the years many shaped balloons have taken flight above the Northampton Skyline bringing joy to many. Some shapes included Action Man, the Barclays House (with its cat on the roof), Bertie Basset, the Agfa Can, the FA Cup, Cadbury Bunny, Babybel, Budweiser, the Lurpak Man and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Below is a link where you can find numerous photos of balloon festivals gone by. On the website you will find photos of the Northampton Skyline through the years, many a shape- some that you may not remember until you see the photos!
https://ballooningpictures.weebly.com/northampton-balloon-fiesta1.html
In its peak the Balloon Festival was a roaring success. The Balloon Festival was loved by many with balloon flights and balloon glows each day (weather depending of course). There were many a marque with a wide range of stalls, crafts, and activities for all to enjoy. The festival would then culminate in a spectacular Firework display in the evenings. Each year the festival seemed to grow where music performances and concerts were added, and fair rides were welcome additions for the thrill seekers and families.
In 2009, it was announced that the Balloon Festival would be moving to Billing Aquadrome where the local council ceased funding the event. Sadly, the Balloon Festival ended in 2019 where Billing Aquadrome pulled out of hosting the event due to difficulties in the previous two years.
This year, between 18th and 20th August, the Balloon Festival will be returning with shaped balloons returning to our skies! So far, the confirmed shaped balloons are Action Man, the Agfa Can, the Nescafe Cup, Aston Martin, Thomas the Tank Engine, the Financial Times, Dragon, the BBC Globe, and the Barclays House. The Balloon Festival’s return this year comes with the full intention to revive the festival to what it once was.
This year is promising Live Entertainment including Live Music, an Equine Stunt Display, Stannage Stunts, the RPM Bike Display Team, and the American Civil War Society. There will be activities for all the family including a Fun Fair, Face Painting, Circus Workshops, Birds of Prey, Punch and Judy, a variety of stalls and much more. There will be balloon glows each night, with a Firework Finale on the Sunday night.
For more information on this year’s event please visit the following website: https://thenorthamptonballoonfestival.co.uk
The Balloon Festival’s return gives us a great opportunity to revisit some wonderful memories. When talking with your families, loved ones or clients it may be an opportunity to have a chat about some of these memories. Some may have some old photos or videos of the Balloon Festival. Weather dependant, the Balloons will take to the sky, and depending on the flight path you may be lucky to see some of the balloons take to the sky. At Home Instead Northampton, our Care Professionals love to look at old photos and talk about old stories. Reliving these precious memories can subsequently bring forth some lovely smiles, small giggles, or great belly laughs.
For some the sound of a Hot Air Balloon flying in the sky may take them to a memory, or an associated memory. The sound or sight of the Firework Finale may remind them of a moment in time. The sound and smells of the fun fair may remind them of their childhood. The senses can play a powerful part in our memories and recalling them. It is always amazing how a single smell, a taste of food, a specific sound or song can transport you back to a moment in time. It may even take you to a specific emotion that you associate with a memory. The taste of candy floss reminding you of childhood memories and laughs. The sound of the song you had at your wedding can fill you with love and joy. It is why we at Home Instead love to get to know our clients and their happy memories.
When we know about a fond memory, place, adventure, activity and so on we know that our clients love, or enjoyed we will engage with them about this. Where we can, we may even suggest a trip or outing to somewhere of interest. At Home Instead Northampton our Care Professionals have business insurance on their vehicles which means they can take clients out in their cars. This may be to go to an event such as the Balloon Festival where they may enjoy the fresh air, reliving memories, or just to enjoy the experience. It could be to a special bench at a park, a favourite café, to Church, to see the planes fly at Sywell Aerodrome, or so much more.
At Home Instead Northampton, our greatest joy is to see a smile on our clients faces. This means we will support them to achieve whatever goals they wish to achieve, where we are able to, we will help them to go to the places, and do the things they love. For more information about our Companionship packages please contact our office on 01604 211 190- we would love to help you achieve you goals and bring a smile to your face too.
