Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022: Day Two
Here's everything you need to know about Friday at this year's Fiesta
We're into Day Two of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and it's going to be another scorcher.
The Met Office is forecasting high temperatures in the city of 32 degrees, with an amber weather warning in place for extreme heat, meaning it is likely to cause sun burn and heat exhaustion.
Visitors to the Fiesta are being urged to bring plenty of water and sun cream, while people are being asked not to bring barbeques because of the risk of wildfires.
You can see a full schedule for Friday below:
6am - Second mass ascent of the Fiesta
11:30am - Model balloons in the main arena
12pm - Model planes take to the skies
1pm - Tethered balloons in the main arena
3:30pm - Hot air balloon teams inflation race
4pm - Sky dive
6pm - Third mass ascent
Children's entertainers will once again be performing on the Brizzle Kicks stage from 12pm till 6pm, while the bandstand will feature live music from 2pm-6pm.
The mass ascents
Today is the first of three days which should feature two mass ascents each.
With fairly light winds forecast it is likely both will go ahead, with up to 100 balloons of all shapes and sizes set to take part in each one.
Special shaped balloons are a hugely popular feature of the Fiesta, with the last edition of the event featuring one shaped like Star Wars villain Darth Vader for the first time.
Shaped balloons that have taken part in the past have included beer cans, birds, carrots and even a train.
The wind
Where you will be able to see the mass ascents from, depends hugely on the wind direction.
This morning a north easterly breeze is forecast, which means the balloons in the 6am mass ascent are likely to be pushed away from the city, in the direction of North Somerset, after take off.
As the day goes on the wind direction could become more easterly, meaning in the 6pm ascent the balloons could be pushed more in the direction of Avonmouth, but these forecasts are clearly subject to change.
Visitor information
This year getting to Ashton Court could prove more of a problem than in previous years as a shuttle bus service will not be provided from across Bristol.
In a statement published in July organisers blamed a national shortage of bus drivers, while saying they would extend the availability of cheaper parking tickets until the end of that month.
Fiesta Operations Director Ben Hardy said at the time they had exhausted all possible alternatives and encouraged people to either walk or cycle to the venue instead.
For the first time, for pedestrian safety and to help with traffic flow, the A370 will be closed in both directions from Winterstoke Road to the South Bristol Link Road on Thursday and Saturday night after the nightglow finishes at 10pm, until midnight.
Meanwhile there is car parking on site, but at a cost.
A space in the Fiesta's Blue car park today will cost you £22 if you missed out on early release sales.
Motorbike parking is cheaper at £13.20.
There is no campsite at the Fiesta this year, while caravans and motorhomes in the event car parks are banned.
To prevent parking on the roads around the site there will also be various road closures in place including on Kennel Lodge Road, in Leigh Woods and Long Ashton, with access only allowed for residents.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge will also shut on the Thursday and Saturday evenings from 6pm until midnight, to both traffic and pedestrians.
You can find more information on the Fiesta website here.