HELD in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration, the Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta returns for the sixth consecutive year!
Visitors to the event have the opportunity to float above Polo Ground in Penang on a huge air balloon.
The highlight of the fiesta is the display of15 colorful hot air balloons in the morning and evening sessions on Feb 1 and 2.
There will also be ‘NightGlow’ shows featuring 10 light-up balloons, music and lights which are set to fascinate spectators.
“Over the two-day event, ticketed tethered balloon rides will be available where one can go up as high as 60 feet,” Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan said at a press conference in Komtar on Jan 21.
He added that there would also be a ‘cold inflation’ activity where visitors could walk into a balloon envelope that is filled with cold air as it lies on the ground.
The event is organised by AKA Balloon Sdn Bhd and endorsed by the Penang government, in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia.
Free parking spaces at various locations within close proximity to Polo Ground will be available on both event days. Parking locations (about 1,000 parking lots) will be arranged at SK Jalan Residensi, SMK (P) St George and SMK Tuanku Puan Habsah.
As a reminder, fiesta visitors must not park at the Penang Hospital.
Sepoy Lines will be closed to public from 10pm on Jan 31 to 11pm on Feb 2.
To ease traffic congestion, shuttle buses will be provided from three different points on the island to Polo Ground.
Visitors can take the shuttle bus plying the Jetty – Komtar – Polo Ground route from 7am to 10pm with a 30mins frequency.
Those travelling from Tanjung Tokong can take the shuttle bus from Tesco Tanjung Tokong to Polo Ground from 7am to 10pm. The frequency is every 60mins.
Visitors can also take the Queensbay Mall – Sungai Nibong (bus stop in front of Pesta) – Polo Ground shuttle bus from 7am to 10pm. The frequency is every 60mins.
Ooi said that some 150 personnel from Rela, Penang Island City Council and the police would be on duty each day to manage heavy traffic.
“For public safety, there will also be a mobile police post (Balai Polis Bergerak) stationed at the event venue,” Ooi added.
Regular updates on the event will be posted on Facebook – Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.
For further inquiries, contact AKA Balloons Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Nur Izzati Khairudin at 012-365 0380 or email to [email protected]
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Wo Yee Qi