Thousands of Australians recently turned out to mark Canberra Day in a rather unconventional way, by watching hot air balloons float through the sky whilst eating hearty breakfasts.
Around 30 balloons, including a giant Yoda and an Angry Birds craft, launched above Australia’s capital to mark the public holiday, which takes place on the second Monday of March each year.
The hot air balloons were inflated on the grounds outside of Old Parliament House as part of the Canberra Festival Balloon Spectacular, with the three-day event culminating on the Monday.
This year marked the 29th anniversary of the festival, and if the number of breakfasts sold by a charitable organisation at the event is anything to go by, it was one of the most popular yet.
Gary Jones of the Belconnen Lions Club told The Canberra Times:
“We’ve had a pretty busy three days so far and have gone through 130 kilograms of sausages, 160kg of bacon, 340 dozen eggs, 180kg of baked beans, and 240 loaves of bread. The profits go back to the Lions and find their way back to the community through charities or programs.”
The breakfast is reportedly a popular part of the festival, and last year it raised over $30,000 (£15,180) for the local community.
People in the UK who like the idea of a cooked breakfast followed by some ballooning action will find that they do not have to go all the way to Australia for the experience, as there are a number of similar balloon rides in South Wales, England and Scotland that they can partake in.
