European Balloon Festival takes to the skies over Barcelona

Just like fireworks, hot air balloons are a timeless airborne spectacle that audiences across the world never tire of, even centuries after Europeans first conquered gravity with the help of air propulsion. Today, balloon festivals are major crowd-pullers across the globe, with Europe’s largest and most famous being in the Spanish municipality of Igualada, Barcelona.

Taking place over four days, from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 July 2010, the landmark festival features a wide selection of events both on and above the ground, as around 25,000 spectators flock to Igualada to witness competitive balloon races, graceful airborne displays and other festival events, such as market stalls and the chance to sample local Catalonian cuisine.

Visitors of all ages will find much to appeal at the European Balloon Festival, whether attending for a single day or the whole duration. Although the balloon flights typically take place in the early morning and late afternoon to benefit from ideal weather conditions, visitors don’t have to head back to their rooms when the sun sets – especially with recreational night glow balloons tethered to the ground complementing colourful fireworks displays.

Naturally, many people will head to the event in the hope of taking to the skies themselves, and balloon rides are available – as long as fliers book in advance. Places are scarce and interest is understandably high, but those who book their rides early can experience the exhilarating feeling of soaring through the clear Spanish skies at the height of summer, in the time-honoured fashion.

The European Balloon Festival is just one of the exciting free festivals coming to Barcelona this summer, allowing holidaymakers to enjoy an active Spanish break without breaking the bank. July also sees the Barcelona Festival of Song showcasing the talents of performers from around the world, in high-profile events held at such significant venues as Ateneu Barcelonès and the Residència d’Investigadors in the artistic city. Not only will Spanish performers demonstrate their skills, but musicians from across the Spanish world will bring a flamenco flavour to the proceedings, beginning each night at 8.30pm.

For those taking their flights to Barcelona later in the summer, the Sants Festa Major brings the summer party atmosphere into the streets of the city’s Montjuïc district. Whenever you’re thinking of heading to the Catalonian capital, you can be sure of an eventful visit in a city steeped in unique history and traditions.

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Balloons, Tunes and Drummers: Festival Fever Switzerland

Though of course Switzerland is one nation, its 26 cantons, each of which has a considerable amount of autonomy, cling proudly to their individual culture and traditions and continue to celebrate both historic and modern festivals.

Every January strange brightly coloured objects can be seen floating in the skies of Chateau d’Oex, a small alpine town nestled in the Bernese Oberland, close to its better known neighbour Gstaad. Chateau d’Oex’s International Hot Air Balloon Festival is the worlds’ premier hot air ballooning event, which attracts over 100 balloons from 15 different countries. The reason for its success is partly down to the area’s unique microclimate; its position within a wide sloping valley bowl creates thermal conditions which are ideal for flying. And the views from a balloon basket aren’t bad either; souring over snowy high alpine mountains and valleys, it’s little wonder that the festival attracts thousands of visitors each year.

If you’re looking for a festival that is a little more down to earth, try Switzerland’s Rock Oz’Arenes, a massive music festival well worthy of a visit. What began as a one day event in 1992 and attracted just 730 people is now a four day festival held in the roman Amphitheatre of Avenches. The event hosts some of the biggest international pop, rock and hip hop acts, and has seen the likes of Jimmy Cliff, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed perform in recent years.

Those looking for a more traditional festival should take a visit to Fasnacht in Basel, which is recognised as the most popular festival in Switzerland, with some 15,000 to 20,000 marked participants taking part.

The origins of Fasnacht are somewhat obscure and unsure, largely because a huge earthquake in 1356 destroyed large parts of Basel along with many written records. Historians believe that the festival came about due to a row at a jousting tournament been the citizens of Basel and some knights. The argument is said to have tuned nasty, with the locals chasing the knights out of town and killing four of them in the process. But retribution was harsh; 12 citizens were beheaded and the Empire of the time (Charles IV) put a ban on the city, meaning that it was no longer protected by the Roman Empire.

Basel now celebrates this slightly bizarre part of their history with Fasnacht. When the city clock rings out at 4am, thousands of fifers and drummers in Charivari costumes with small headlights begin to move through the dark centre of town, whilst playing their carnival music. By day a huge procession takes place along with live music, a lantern exhibition and carnival floats.

A holiday in Switzerland which takes in some of the country’s wealth of festivals and cultural events, in addition to its incredible natural scenery, makes for an ideal European break.

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Advantages Of Giant Advertising Balloons

By Low Jeremy

Advertising on giant hot air balloons is fast becoming the best and most spectacular form of publicity available. A giant advertising balloon as a public relations tool, there can be no other choice that is as effective when organizing events and conventions.

Using a giant advertising balloon can provide you with a unique opportunity to be able to relate with clients and to be able to put your relationship with them up to a unique start.

The uses for an advertising balloon are very broad. A giant advertising balloon can be an excellent addition to your existing marketing campaigns. Using this unique promotional method will be able to set your company apart as a leader in innovation and creativity.

You must realize that the farther that your business or event is being seen, the more customers you can reach. Using a unique method of advertising like a giant advertising balloon would most likely attract them to your products.

Giant advertising balloons can be seen for several blocks and can even be seen up to three miles away. It is just like having your own floating billboard but with more attractive power. As compared to billboards, giant advertising balloons are far cheaper to use and they are not fixed in just one place like billboards so you may be able to use them from another location whenever you want to.

Another advantage that using a giant advertising balloon for your campaign is that you can own this piece of advertisement unlike other forms of advertising such as radio, newspaper or magazines. Your balloon can be set up at anytime and anywhere and it can create an immediate impression on everyone.

As you might well know, advertising is about catching the attention of a certain audience to make them aware of the services and products that your company is offering. Use a giant advertising balloon and see how immediately it can draw everyone’s attention to your business.

Comparing the cost of owning a giant advertising balloon to your advertising expenses in magazines, newspapers and radio you will be able to find that balloons are just a fraction of the cost considering that you own the balloon.

There are no other forms of advertising that can be just as effective in targeting the people most likely to stop by into your location and check out what you have to offer way better than advertising balloons.

Advertising balloons can also great for tradeshow booths and exhibits. Many companies spend thousands of dollars to have inflated balloon signs hung from the ceiling of the tradeshow hall to catch the most attention from the visitors. You can try it out for your own business and see how it can effectively help provide promising results for you.

About the Author: Low Jeremy maintains http://Advertising-Balloons.ArticlesForReprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

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The Magic of Balloons

By Raymond Plona

The earliest forms of a balloon were made by Professor Michael Faraday in 1824 for use in his experiments with hydrogen at the Royal Institution in London. Ever since the birth of the first balloon, it has evolved and been used in many areas of our lives from predicting the weather to travelling to science experiments and it has also made it into out homes. It’s practically in every home celebrating someone’s birthday or being hung in graduation dinner halls and even in presidential campaigns. Balloons and humans have an unforeseen connection and because of that, there are many type of balloons such as birthday party balloons and latex balloons and printed balloons just to name a few. Just by looking at balloons, there would be a smile appearing on your face. Since childhood, we have all grown up being surrounded by these oval, air filled things made of rubber or latex. Catching one and holding it in our tiny little hands, we would all be jumping for joy the minute we become owners of one bright, bouncy and colorful balloon. Balloons are a sight to see just by looking at them gently staying afloat in the cool breeze, watching them with wonder as they rise up in the sky.IThe creator of the first balloon was Professor Michael Faraday and it was done in the year 1824. It was created with the purpose of its use in his experiments with hydrogen at the Royal Institution in London. Since the beginning balloons have not restricted their usage right from predicting the weather to traveling to science experiments and now it’s in our homes. It could be seen in every function say it a birthday party or a presidential campaigns and even in the graduation dinner halls. So now we can say that humans and balloons share a very astonishing relation and that is one reason why we have so many different forms of balloons such as birthday party balloons and latex balloons and printed balloons just to name a few. Can you resist a smile one you look at a balloon? These have been our companion since our childhood. We have grown up with these oval, air filled things made of rubber or latex. What joy it was to struggle for a bright, bouncy and colorful balloon, and finally get it and hold it in the tiny hands. Its always beautiful to see a balloon gently staying afloat in the cool breeze, creating wonders in the sky.IThe first balloon was created by Professor Michael Faraday in 1824. It was created to be used in his experiments with hydrogen at the Royal Institution in London. Since then balloons have been a part of out life. From predicting the weather to traveling to science experiments, and now in our house. It could be found in every home that is about to celebrate either someone’s birthday or a presidential campaigns or even a graduation dinner. Balloons and humans…… a strange relation. Might be that is the reason why we have so many different variety of balloons right from birthday party balloons and latex balloons and printed balloons just to name a few. Look at them and you will smile. It’s been there with us since childhood. These oval things made of latex or rubber and filled with air. Having a bright, bouncy and colorful balloon in our tiny hands was enough to make us happy. A balloon gently staying afloat in the cool breeze, creating wonders in the sky makes a wonderful sight.

There is a certain feel that spreads a miraculous smile among children in the hospitals especially when they see beautiful and colorful balloons being given to them with clowns at circus shows or even at the back of a just-married car, in parks, tied to ice cream carts and especially in birthday party supplies, balloons are a must have item. Knowing the importance of balloons during birthdays and events and celebrations, a lot of companies tend to specialize in making balloons or in events that need planning such as event planners and managers who have the expertise to plan an entire party from start to finish. There are many types of balloons manufactured such as cartoon character balloons, latex balloons, animal character balloons and superhero themed balloons. In birthday party supplies, you not only get balloons but party hats and party masks as well as confetti. These items are party must-haves and make anyone happy.IThere is certainly something in these balloons that even makes the children in the hospitals smile when they see beautiful and colorful balloons. Either is given by clowns at circus shows or even at the back of a just-married car, in parks, tied to ice cream carts and especially in birthday party supplies, balloons are the most essential item. The world seems to know about the importance of the balloons and that is one reason that today we have companies specializing in making balloons. When it comes to planning of an event by the event planners balloons are into special consideration. There are various ranges of balloons that are manufactured such as cartoon character balloons, latex balloons, animal character balloons and superhero themed balloons. Only the balloons are not the content of the birthday party supplies but the party hats and party masks as well as confetti are a must in the party.ISurely, there is something magical in the balloons that even make the children in the hospitals smile when they see beautiful and colorful balloons. There could be a clown who gives away the balloon or it could be hanged at the back of the car of a newly weeded couple, it could be in parks or tied to the ice-cream carts but balloons are a must in the birthday party supplies. Today there are companies that manufacture only balloons, different kind of balloons and that shows how important balloons are in today’s time. Even when the event planners plan the occasion a special consideration is given to the balloons. There are balloons that are manufactured in various forms like balloons with cartoon character, latex balloons, animal character balloons and superhero themed balloons. But its not only balloons but even the party hats and party masks as well as confetti should be added to the birthday party supplies.

Event planners not only call in balloons by the dozen but other activities and attractions as well such as face painters and fun tattoo artists, games and puppet shows, magic shows and clowns. When it comes to parties, the entertainment list is endless. These entertainments and activities as well as decoration follow a theme that the host has chosen. Themed parties are normally easier to organize and plan because they already have a concept and direction as well as birthday party supplies all ready. These themes are such as jungle adventure, beach party, character themed parties, princess parties, movie character parties such as Harry Potter and SpongeBob Square Pants as well as That’s So Raven. Following this theme, the entire party decoration, cutlery, birthday costumes and cake are all made in tune with the theme- either being the center of attraction of complimenting pieces.IBalloons are not the only option for the event planners, they arrange for activities like puppet show, face painting, fun tattoo artist, magic shows and clowns. There is no end to the entertainment when it comes to the parties. The entertainment activities and the decoration all gets coordinated by a theme that is selected by the party host. It’s always easy to organize a party with a theme because they already have a concept as well as direction, and birthday party supplies is all set to go for it. There could be any theme like jungle adventure, beach party, character themed parties, princess parties, movie character parties such as Harry Potter and SpongeBob Square Pants as well as That’s So Raven. The entire decoration of the party, the cutlery cakes everything will be based on the theme so that all of them are tuned together. IIt is not that balloons are the only things, the party planners makes sure that some activities like face painting, puppet show, magic shows, fun tattoos or even the clowns are arranged to set up a mood in the party and to add on to the entertainment. The decoration and the activities all are coordinated well following the theme that the host had chosen for the party. When it comes to parties there is no limit to entertainment. Pre decided concept and direction makes it easy to organize a party with a theme. And of course birthday party supplies is always there. Any theme could be selected for the party depending upon the occasion and the need like jungle adventure, beach party, character themed parties, princess parties, movie character parties such as Harry Potter and SpongeBob Square Pants as well as That’s So Raven. the entire party decoration, cutlery, birthday costumes and cakes all depends upon the theme. They are all well synchronized by one theme.

Careful thought and planning often goes into themed parties- in putting the right things at the right place and bringing the whole look together. From the venue to the number of people invited to the dress code, everything is carefully thought of to make the party a memorable one. Nowadays with the many shops and outlets available, finding birthday party supplies is easy. Shopping online is much easier alternative nowadays compared to the conventional way. This is because online shopping offers so many alternatives such as you can browse as many shops- much more actually compared to going through land stores. Also, all you have to do is sit in the comforts of your own home with a laptop or PC in front of you and click and click away with your mouse on the items that you want. You can either buy the all decoration and party items at one store or you can browse different stores and buy a selection of decorations to go along with your theme.IThemed parties require a careful thought and a proper planning. It helps you to put the right thing at the right place hence makes them look complete. If you want to make it a memorable party then think about all the aspects like the invitees, their dress code etc. today there are so many available shops that finding a birthday party supplies is no trouble. One unconventional and easy way to shop is online shopping. Online shopping is better because it gives you the option to choose by browsing the net and having a look at all the possible options that you might just not find in one shop. It’s also easy because all you need to do is just sit right in front of your computer and click on the items that you need. Either you can buy all the all decoration and party items at one store or else have a look while browsing and purchase it from different stores as per your requirements.IA proper planning and some careful thoughts, this is what is required for a themed party it also enables you to put the right things at the right place so that the venue looks complete and not scattered. You should think about all the aspects of the party if you want to leave a mark upon the visitor’s mind, right from the list of people invited to their dress code everything should be thought about. Its not difficult to find birthday party supplies with so many shops and outlets available. One easy option is to shop online. It is also because online shopping offers you lot of options by enabling you to have a look at various products just by browsing. All you need to do is to sit in front of your PC and all that you need is just a click away.

About the Author: Raymond Plona is a leading expert in party planning and his store provides all forms of birthday party supplies for all your party needs. Some of his products include theme party supplies, birthday party pinatas, birthday party balloons and many more.

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