THE public especially children were thrilled to no end when 15 hot air balloons of various shapes took to the sky during the Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2020 at the Polo Ground. Engineer B.H. Lim, 35, said his two daughters, aged five and seven, had been pestering him to take them to the event for the past two weeks. “I initially told them yes as I thought that they would forget about it, but instead of forgetting, they kept on hounding me even more as the date drew nearer. “I had no choice but to bring them here. We came to see the hot air balloon on Sunday morning when the weather was nice and cool,” he said when met at the event. Lim added that they were not disappointed as the hot air balloons in the shapes of a Minion (from the computer-animated movie Despicable Me), a pirate in a barrel and a unicorn among others thrilled his daughters. “I had wanted to take them to a tethered balloon ride but the tickets were all sold out. We will definitely be back next year and I will book the balloon ride earlier.” A ‘Night Glow’ show featuring 10 balloons lighted up with music and lights to fascinate those present was also held over two nights. Visitors were spotted taking selfies with the hot air balloons and there was something for everyone to do during the two-day event over the weekend. There was also the cold inflation activity where people could walk right into a huge balloon to take Instagram-worthy pictures with their friends or family members on their smartphones. When asked why free flying balloon rides were not allowed at the event, an information counter staff said for free flying, a hot air balloon can only accommodate a maximum weight of 200kg including the balloon pilot. “Due to restrictions in capacity and safety procedures, only balloon pilots and co-pilots handle free flying balloons. “The hot air balloons from all over the world on display at the event are more for exhibition to showcase the different designs, shapes and sizes,” she said. Food trucks and numerous food stalls fed the hungry crowd while youngsters entertained themselves at an animal petting corner featuring rabbits, chickens and pigeons and inside giant inflatable balls called zorbs. There was also a mechanical bull ride, an inflatable trampoline and a reverse bungee jump to keep everyone entertained. This was the sixth consecutive year that the event had been held at the Polo Ground, and the crowd has been increasing every year.