Showsec Fly High at Bristol Balloon Fiesta
The Bristol Balloon Fiesta in August is Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons. This years’ event attracted over 200 hot air balloons from over 20 countries and drew a crowd of up to 250,000 visitors.
The four-day event held in Ashton Court Estate is open free to the public with the site also hosting a large number of trade stands, fairground rides and entertainment. This year’s fiesta was a particularly special occasion, marking the 40th anniversary of the event.
Over a hundred staff from Showsec worked over the weekend, providing stewarding and facilitating a safe and successful operation, as well as being involved in preparation for the event.
As Martin Lewis, Area Manager for Wales South West explains, “The Balloon Fiesta is a really unique event. This year we had a lot of rain, meaning staff had to overcome some adverse weather conditions and battle the elements to deliver the crowd management that we are renowned for. Thankfully, everybody pulled together and the feedback we have had so far has been excellent.”
Showsec has established a very fruitful and positive working relationship with the organisers of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, REM events. As Ben Hardy, Senior Events Organiser at REM explains, “We have worked with Showsec on the Fiesta for the past three years. It provides reassurance to have a team delivering crowd management that is well trained and well briefed. Often security and stewards are the first point of contact for our visitors, so it is really important that they are met with a friendly face with information at their fingertips. It’s great that we are able to get this with Showsec.”
It is an honour to be involved in this special 40th anniversary event. Showsec looks forward to working again with REM events and the Bristol Balloon Fiesta in the coming years.