Joure Hot Air Balloon Festival

We were in Joure for the 23rd Balloon Festival. People from all over the world bring their special shape balloons to the Joure festival. What an exciting night we had. The best 3.5 euro I have spent. The newspaper promised we would see 35 Hot Air balloons go up in the space of 2 hours, weather permitting.

We bicycled out to the sportsfield on the edge of town and joined the crowd sitting around the oval. Slowly vans arrived onto the oval and took up their positions.

In front of where we were a huge tarpaulin had been stretched out and a lot of sorting out was going on.



I thought a few balloons would be prepared and after they went up more would take their place. But no! every one of them squeezed in to any available place.
It was hard to know where to look first.


Rabobank was the first to get going. Then it was one after the other with the special shapes taking longer to fill with air.








In front of us the huge shape was still getting ready.


On our righthand side Bob was almost ready and we noticed Van Gogh starting to inflate.


What a fantastic sight as Van Gogh went up.


Meanwhile things were heating up at the other end. Tyrannosaurus Rex was waking up and the others were getting out of the way.




The cathederal who had been peeking out from behind got out of his way


Rex was getting angry and Panda took off.


So did Wiefke and Baby Bel



Quickly followed by Bertie Basset and Rex.



Now Frog got ready and so did Bert.




Iced Tea took off before I could get a photo as well as the Peacock who didn’t go very far. Then there was cat




Not sure of the pink one, I know what I think it looks like..


Lastly the balloon in front of us was ready. A beautiful Birthday Cake complete with candles.







For the next couple of nights we were able to watch them from the boat in port.