Vice Lord Lieutenant Gavin Whitefield CBE DL was delighted and honoured to open this year’s Strathaven Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday 25th August 2018 .
The spectacular annual hot air ballooning event celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year and is the only one of its kind in Scotland with balloonists travelling from as far afield as Europe to take part .The Festival has grown into a major international event for Strathaven attracting around 20,000 spectators combining the magnificent sight of hot air balloons with Fun Days on Saturday and Sunday with an extensive programme providing something for all of the family to enjoy including a Classic Vehicle Show, Craft Stalls , Birds of Prey , the Pipe Band of The Scots Guards , a Jazz Band and even a parachute demonstration . It is truly a real community event organised by a small team of committed local volunteers and takes a year to plan and deliver !
The Vice Lord Lieutenant would wish to congratulate and pay tribute to the Organising Committee for all their hard work in developing the festival over the years to what it is today – one of Scotland’s biggest and best events which is very much valued and enjoyed by so many people from the local community and well beyond .
The photo shows the Vice Lord Lieutenant along with the Chair of the Organising Committee Matthew Smith and Committee Members Gordon McAllan (left) and James Mackie (right) .
