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Aquadrome steps in to save annual balloon extravaganza
This weekend the skies over Northampton will be filled by hot air balloons as the annual festival takes place.
Unlike in previous years when it has taken place on the Racecourse, this year's event is taking place at Billing Aquadrome, which took on the balloon festival in February after Northampton Borough Council axed the event, citing losses of 177,000.
Organisers said the emphasis of this year's event is on family fun and, unlike in previous years, there will not be fireworks or bands playing in the evenings.
Billing Aquadrome events and leisure manager Karen Joseph said: "We're not trying to do an identical replica of the balloon festival – we're trying to do a partial version of it and get it back to family fun, which is what people remember.
"We've got more than 60 trade stands and there's an American car show.
"The commonality between all the attractions is family fun and we have things like quad bikes.
"It is without a doubt about family fun and this is what we're going to strive to achieve.
"It's going to be very relaxed.
"I hope people will come with the right frame of mind."
About 30 balloons are expected to be at the festival, with flights taking place in the morning and evening, weather permitting, but the music and entertainment will not go on into the night.
Instead, the evening will be primarily for people camping.
Balloons will fly at 6am and 6pm, and on Saturday an evening glow will take place at 9.30pm.
Admission is free but parking is 10 per car per day.
A park-and-ride service will run on Saturday and Sunday from Abington Park and additional buses will run to the aquadrome from Greyfriars bus station.
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
