For its 4th year, the Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival entertained its guests for four days with not just hot air balloons, but also with aerial exhibitions like skydiving and paragliding, animal showcases, magic shoes, concerts, and a spectacular fireworks display as well.
Held from April 6 to 9 at Pradera Verde, Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga, the festival featured 37 hot air balloons including some animal-themed balloons such as Tako the Octopus, Bobo the Lobster, a frog, and a rooster to celebrate 2017 as The Year of the Rooster. Most of the balloonists were foreigners, but the Philippines was well-represented with 10 balloons.
Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival
Date: 4 Day Event Every April during Summer in Pampanga
Venue: Pradera Verde, Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga.
Email: lubaoibf@gmail.com
Facebook: Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival
Website: http://lubaoibmf.com/
Every day, balloon preparations would start as early as 5 AM and the balloons fly out at around 6:30 AM.
It takes a whole team to prepare a balloon for flight.
1) The Lubao balloon is always the first one to take off. This serves as a signal to the rest of the balloonists that they may also proceed with take-off.
2) The Philippine flag also made an appearance as a hot air balloon.
3) Pilot Ed Chapman was the only balloonist at the event that didn’t have a basket.
Attendees were armed with their phones and monopods, making sure they get the perfect shot of the balloons.
Some guests can even go beyond the fence and be up close and personal with the balloons and pilots for a minimal fee of Php 500. An additional Php 1,000 entitles them to ride one of the tethered balloons.
Throughout the day, attendees witness several aerial exhibitions.
The Dreamer balloon gives PWDs a chance to ride the balloon for free.
After the balloons take flight, guests can have their breakfast at any of the food stalls located at the perimeter.
Kids bounced around in the inflatables, played with the animals at Zoocobia,
… and even drove ATVs. Kites were also available for purchase at the grounds for additional entertainment.
A short walk from the event grounds is Pradera Wakepark, where guests can spend their time lounging at the viewdeck or test their skills at wakeboarding.
Guests who wanted to take something home as a remembrance of the event also had the opportunity to buy several unique souvenir items.
Kids and kids at heart enjoyed the animal shows.
As the day came to a close, guests were treated to the Night Glow. Balloons were tethered to the ground and lit, much to the delight of the attendees.
Local artists like Spongecola, Gloc 9, and Parokya ni Edgar, and International artists Alex Aiono and Redfoo …
… partied with the crowd at night …
… before the fireworks display, signaling the end of another day.
Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival
Date: 4 Day Event Every April during Summer in Pampanga
Venue: Pradera Verde, Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga.
Contact: Forthinker, Inc.
Office Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm
Telephone: +632 942-0768
Email: lubaoibf@gmail.com
Facebook: Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival
Website: http://lubaoibmf.com/
Live an Awesome Life,
MONIQUE for TEAM OUR AWESOME PLANET
Disclosure: Our Awesome Planet is an official media partner of Our Lubao International Balloon and Musical Festival. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Team OAP also had the chance to ride the balloons.
I rode the Lindstrandt balloon from the UK with Lee Hooper as my pilot. It was definitely an experience I would never forget.
And the view from the top was just as breathtaking as the ride itself.