Stage set for the second edition of Araku Balloon Festival

The scenic valleys of Araku will be hosting the second edition of Araku Balloon Festival on 18, 19 and 20 January. To be organised by the Tourism Department, the three-day carnival will have hot air balloon pilots from 15 countries converge at Araku.

The countries participating in the festival include India, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Slovakia, Italy, UK, Thailand, Netherlands, Germany, Japan USA, France, Spain, and Malaysia, with as many as 20 hot air balloons expected to paint the sky.

Addressing a press gathering in Vizag on Wednesday, Tourism Secretary
Mukesh Kumar Meena informed that the second edition of the Araku Balloon Festival will have exciting events such as morning balloon flights, tethered flights, night glows, para-motoring displays and many more. Hot air balloons shaped in unique forms, can also be spotted at the fest.

Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, who was present at the event, recalled that the first edition of the festival had drawn a massive response. He also appreciated Mukesh Kumar Meena for organising tourist events in a well-planned manner.

While the first edition of the Araku Balloon Festival, which was organised in November 2017, faced a few obstacles from unfavourable weather, the second edition is expected to go on unhindered, with the forecast predicting no rainfall in the coming the three days. Mr Meena also informed that a two-day trial run was conducted in Araku.