If you have any questions about your pledge or reward please send a private message to the Balloon Fiesta or email alex@weareplaster.com

The Darth Vader special shape hot air balloon was built in Bristol by Cameron Balloons but has never flown in this fine city (we know!). The incredible feat of engineering has toured the world and been photographed over Australia, United States, China and Malaysia (to name just a few) but has never flown in the skies over Brunel’s Suspension Bridge, the coloured houses of Totterdown and the city that Vader himself David Prowse called home.

This year, as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta celebrates the icons of Bristol, we will bring the balloon home so it can rightfully join this year’s festivities, which take place from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 August.

We have been able to do this, thanks to your help! The funds we’ve raised so far have covered the costs to bring this impressive balloon to Bristol for the Fiesta.

Now, we will continue to offer incredible rewards in return for donations to support this iconic event.

Not many people realise this but the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a not-for-profit event, it receives no public funding and each year, led by a committee of volunteers, the organisers raise the £750,000 it takes to put on this event, which brings balloons to the skies of Bristol and puts us on the international map.

While each year through relentless energy, passion and hard work we just about manage to raise the required funds to put on this incredible event, we’re left with very little reserves to really add something special to the programme and protect the event for future years to come.

With your help we wish to change that. Over to you, it’s time to feel the force and be rewarded.

Support & Be Rewarded

With a magical event like this, we have some money-can’t-buy experiences as well as some really nice rewards in return for you support!

So by giving to this crowdfund you won’t just be left with that warm, fuzzy feeling that you’ve helped support our event. You'll be helping us to keep it free for the thousands that visit and watch all over the city.

The Team

The Fiesta is overseen by a voluntary board of directors who then appoint a voluntary organising committee and flying committee, with the event management outsourced to an external provider who organise all the lovely onsite logistics. Come the event, it takes a massive team of 1,100 people to put on the event, 800 of whom are volunteers. The Fiesta truly is an event by Bristol for Bristol.

Thank You

Let us take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to our sponsors, partners, suppliers and all the incredible volunteers that put an incredible level of energy and passion into delivering this magical event. We couldn’t do it without every single one of you.