Draft:Atlantic balloon fiesta
| Submission declined on 14 August 2025 by RangersRus (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of events). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
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| Submission declined on 3 June 2025 by AlphaBetaGamma (talk). This submission does not appear to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. Entries should be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources. Please rewrite your submission in a more encyclopedic format. Please make sure to avoid peacock terms that promote the subject. Declined by AlphaBetaGamma 3 months ago. | |
| Submission declined on 3 June 2025 by Bunnypranav (talk). Your draft shows signs of having been generated by a large language model, such as ChatGPT. Their outputs usually have multiple issues that prevent them from meeting our guidelines on writing articles. These include: Declined by Bunnypranav 3 months ago.
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| Submission declined on 3 June 2025 by AlphaBetaGamma (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of events). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia. Declined by AlphaBetaGamma 3 months ago. | |
Comment: To me, "wonderful years and hopes to celebrate many more" is already a red flag. There are more fluffy language left and right, so I'm going to be declining this. AlphaBetaGamma (Talk/report any mistakes here) 14:10, 3 June 2025 (UTC)
- Comment: Not at all NPOV ~/Bunnypranav:<ping> 12:04, 3 June 2025 (UTC)
| Atlantic Balloon Fiesta | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Hot Air Balloon festival |
| Dates | Always the weekend after Labour Day |
| Location(s) | Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Attendance | 40,000 - 50,000 annually |
| Website | https://www.atlanticballoonfiesta.ca/ |
The Atlantic Balloon Fiesta is know as "Atlantic Canada’s Most Colourful Festival!" An annual hot air balloon festival, established in 1985. It is held in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada, and takes place each year on the weekend following Labour Day. The fiesta event brings in approximately 25 to 30 balloons from across the globe. And around 40,000 annually as they light up the skys
History
[edit]Events
[edit]The Atlantic Balloon Fiesta features a variety of attractions and activities. These typically include, but are not limited to:[1]
- Balloon launches – early morning and evening each day
- Magic Night Moon Glow – An evening event held after dusk where pilots inflate on the ground and burn to show their balloons colors
- Amusement rides – A small selection of carnival rides and games suitable for children and adults.
- Indoor and outdoor vendor market – A mix of indoor craft vendors and outdoor booths selling local food, handmade goods, and merchandise.
- Classic & Antique Car Show and Shine – An exhibition featuring classic, antique, and custom vehicles from across the region.
- The Atlantic Superstore Bandstand – A performance space showcasing live entertainment from local talent throughout the festival weekend.
Activities may vary slightly each year depending on weather, scheduling, and community involvement.
1987 Balloon Crash
[edit]On the morning of September 6, 1987, a hot air balloon named the Marco Polo was involved in a fatal accident during a three-balloon event near Sussex, New Brunswick. The flight, which included balloons from Sussex and Halifax, ended in tragedy when the Marco Polo lost altitude and collided with high-voltage power lines while attempting to land. The impact caused an explosion that ignited the balloon and its propane tanks.[2]
The balloon was carrying three people: Roger Patstone, of Quispamsis; pilot Doug Shippee of Saint John; and Anne Cruickshank, also of Saint John. As the balloon neared the ground, the group encountered difficulty due to a fuel shortage and gusty winds, forcing Shippee to attempt an emergency landing. Witnesses reported the balloon briefly gained altitude before descending toward a field and striking the power line.
All three occupants jumped from the gondola from a height of approximately 12 to 14 metres (40 to 46 feet). Patstone died from the fall, while Shippee and Cruickshank sustained serious injuries, including multiple fractures. Shippee later testified that he had identified a landing site after crossing one set of power lines, but another line—only 10 to 15 feet ahead—was obscured by trees, leaving insufficient time to reignite the burner for lift.
The explosion caused a temporary blackout in Sussex and damaged equipment at the nearby Denison-Potcan potash mine. The incident received national attention and had a lasting impact on the ballooning community.
A coroner’s inquest held the following year determined the death to be accidental. The jury recommended safety improvements, including marking power lines with fluorescent indicators, trimming surrounding trees, and establishing consistent two-way communication between balloon crews and their ground teams. They also advised that landings not be attempted until clearance was given from the ground.[3]
The 1987 incident remains the only noted and serious accident associated with the Atlantic Balloon Fiesta and helped influence improved safety protocols in ballooning events across Canada.
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Atlantic Balloon Fiesta". Tourism New Brunswick. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
- ^ "Crash blamed on wind gust". The Sun Times. 8 September 1987. p. 13. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ^ "Jury wants power lines to be marked". The Standard. 10 February 1988. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
Category:Hot air balloon festivals Category:Festivals in Sussex Category:Sports festivals in Canada Category:Recurring events established in 1985 Category:1985 establishments in New Brunswick