One of the biggest events in York’s calendar will leave the city after this year, its organisers have revealed.
The Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta, which will draw thousands of people to Knavesmire for three days next month, is looking for a new home.
And the news has dismayed York folk, sorry to see what one called “an amazing event” fly off to a new city.
What was originally called the York Balloon Fiesta began in 2017.
Featuring mass balloon flights, the evening night glow show, and fantastic family fun from fairground rides to live performances, it has been a hit ever since.
Last year, more than 60,000 people went to what is the biggest hot air balloon and music festival in the north of England.
And this year’s event, running from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September, is set to be the biggest and best yet – with headliners including Scouting For Girls, Boyzlife and Gabrielle.
So why leave York? It’s because York Racecourse have been allocated a new race day on 23 September 2023, on the same weekend as the Fiesta. And there’s nowhere else in the city big enough to accommodate the event.
“So this will be our last year in York,” said organiser John Lowery.
He told Ben Fry on YorkMix Radio – the official partners of Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta – that they were struggling to find suitable locations in North Yorkshire: “We’ve had a look round at sites.
“Obviously there’s Castle Howard. We have been in talks with venues in Leeds and Sheffield and hopefully will have an announcement soon.
“Obviously we’re all gutted today. We’re a York businesses as you know so we are gutted about it but we have to move on.”
The news has left many fiesta fans devastated. “This is so so sad… it’s such an amazing event for York and has become iconic in the city’s calendar,” one said on Instagram.
Another added: “Can’t believe this. We’ve been coming every year and were hoping my little grandson could start coming to watch.”
John said they were intending leaving York on a high: “This year we’re making sure it’s extra special.
“As you know we’ve got some great acts on the stage, and we’re going to go out with a big bang with probably the biggest firework display you’ve ever seen in York.”
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