Sent at 2016-07-12 | Sports

The second edition of the Rubis Gás Ribeira Grande Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held from 13 to 17 July in Ribeira Grande, with the participation of thirteen ballooning teams from Spain, Holland, France, Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

The festival's programme includes daily flights of participating teams, first flight experiences for visitors (in the afternoon) and entertainment in the evening. The balloons will lift off every day at 6.30 a.m. and at 7.00 p.m. from the fields of Santana, provided the weather permits it.

Visitors will be able to watch the lift-off of the hot air balloons, as well as all the teams' preparation rituals.

The evening entertainment is guaranteed, with a night-glow show that will be taking place on 16 July at the municipal stadium of Ribeira Grande, with free admission. On that evening, spectators will have the opportunity to see the hot air balloons lit up, as the pilots turn on the burners and turn the stadium into a giant field of illuminated globes, synchronised to the music of DJ Patricia Leite and singer Mariana Rocha, a runner up of the Portuguese edition of "X Factor". The evening climaxes with a fireworks display.

The event also includes social responsibility initiatives, namely, part of the profit from the sale of merchandising will revert to the Red Cross branch of the island of São Miguel and a first flight experience will be offered to 35 children and youths at the invitation of Rubis Gás and the City Council of Ribeira Grande, a partner in the organisation.

After the tethered flight experience, the participating children, all hailing from the Ribeira Grande city centre, Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Maia and from Rabo de Peixe, will be treated to lunch at the restaurant of the Agricultural Association of São Miguel.

National media will be represented by Antena 3's 'Donas de Casa', 'Observador, Público', 'Sábado' magazine, New in Town and Instagramer Nuno Gervásio. In terms of international coverage, the event will be attended by Bennie Bos, a specialist in ballooning photography and video.

The organisation of the event is the responsibility of local association Learn To Appreciate under the technical direction of Guido dos Santos from Windpassenger.