ALL eyes across the region will turn skyward tomorrow for the start of the 34th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

The fiesta, this year sponsored by Jones Lang LaSalle, runs from Thursday, August 9, to Sunday, August 12 at Ashton Court, Bristol.

This year will include the popular night glows tonight and Saturday at 9.30pm where 30 tethered balloons light up to music, the twice daily mass ascents featuring 150 balloons, and the Special Shapes Rodeo from 6pm this evening.

For the first time in the fiesta’s history there will be a Friday Night IlluminAir from 7.30pm with an aerobatics performance from a pair of agile ‘Silence Twister’ singleseat airplanes.

Other highlights include a Spitfire Memorial Flight and a performance by the UK’s premier military Parachute Display Team on Saturday afternoon, an aerobatic display from The Blades, a four-plane stunt team, on Sunday afternoon, and the Parabatix Display featuring a motorised paraglider dancing in the skies on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be live music from local bands, a new Sports Zone will showcase the skills of local community groups and young festivalgoers can enjoy a helter-skelter and big wheel as well as a dedicated Kids Zone.

Noah’s Ark Zoo is returning to the Fiesta with a host of animals, including reindeer, rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks, an African Spotted Eagle Owl and a boa constrictor.

The famous Transformer Optimus Prime will also be stopping by to give visitors the opportunity to have their photograph taken with Optimus and the autobots, and culture fans can visit SoundSpiral, a new art installation which is part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

There will also be the Bristol Food Court with food and drink from local restaurants and suppliers.

For more information about the fiesta and details on travel and parking visit www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk