Southampton Balloon Festival - 10 things you may not know

The show was a popular annual festival which attracted people from all over the South of England.

Most Sotonians of a certain age have happy memories of whiling away the hours with their family and friends at the event.

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The Balloon and Flower Festival wasn’t just a way for people to see hot air balloons up close, but was also a great opportunity to learn about the history of ballooning.

The show also provided a chance to see some of the most beautiful flowers in the region.

1. It began in 1973

It was first held in 1973 and ran until 2004. 

The event featured hot air balloon rides, tethered balloon displays, and a flower show.

2. It attracted more than 150,000 visitors each year

The festival was one of the largest free events in the South of England, attracting over 150,000 visitors each year.

There was no doubting its popularity among the people.

3. Bad weather regularly put a dampener on things

Although bad weather rarely affected attendance numbers, it certainly had an impact on balloon flights.

When it was too windy, they couldn’t fly. When it was raining too much, they couldn’t fly. Conditions needed to be just right.

It wasn’t unknown for flights to be cancelled altogether due to wet weather and winds.

4. Its predecessor event went through many changes

The show had taken many forms in the past.

It was known as the Southampton Show beforehand, the Victory Garden Show and Fete during the Second World War, and before that the Royal Counties Agricultural Show.

5. It was more than just balloons and flowers

For decades the event provided locals with an opportunity to showcase local talent, skills and hobbies, while also becoming a shop window for local organisations and groups.

Every year the main arena thundered to the hooves of some of the country’s top showjumping horses while marquees were crammed full of homemade exhibits including cakes, wines, pottery and complicated knitting.

6. The horticultural tent always proved popular

The horticultural tent was a major attraction at the Balloon and Flower Festival. 

Stalls in the makeshift structures were lined with colourful flowers, scrubbed carrots, plump broad beans and gleaming onions.

7. It was cancelled due to being too near the airport

The festival was cancelled in 2005 due to logistical issues surrounding its proximity to Southampton Airport. 

The unpredictable nature of the wind meant that there was a risk of hot air balloons interfering with aircraft flight paths.

The organisers of the festival were unable to find an alternative location that was large enough to accommodate the event and that was not too close to the airport.

8. The balloons came in all shapes and sizes

Many of us have fond memories of seeing the balloons take shape on the fields, hearing the whoosh of flames, and feeling the searing heat from behind the tape.

Favourites such as Bertie Bassett, the Cadbury’s Caramel bunny, AGFA’s film cannister and Rupert the Bear were regulars - providing spectators with a smile every time.

9. The last show was in 2004

Southampton’s Balloon and Flower Festival last took place in July 2004.

It brought to an end decades of tradition of having the annual festival on the common.

10. Petitions have been signed by thousands

There have been several campaigns to bring back the Southampton Balloon and Flower Festival over the years. 

One of them was signed by more than 7,000 people in just one week.
The much-loved event is clearly still missed by many locals.