Italy hosts kite and balloon festivals in August

On August 1‑2, the third edition of the Festival degli Aquiloni took place on the shores of Lake Santa Croce in Belluno, organized by Comitato Alpago 2 Ruote & Solidarietà, the municipality of Alpago and Eventi Volanti. Professional kite flyers displayed large three‑dimensional kites up to 400 m², as well as classic kites, and featured a 6‑metre‑tall Giant Giraffe and a 4‑metre‑tall Majestic Elephant. The Italian National Aerobatic Flight Team performed aerial maneuvers using multi‑line kites.

Meanwhile, the Umbria Balloon Festival continued in Todi, with hot‑air balloon flights beginning on July 31 and running through August 2. The event, organized by BilBenefit and Aeroclub Trasimeno under the direction of Donatella Ricci, attracted about twenty crews from Italy, South Africa, Croatia, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom. Spectators enjoyed night balloon displays, music and tastings in Piazza del Popolo, and the festival plans to present its next edition at the TTG fair in Rimini.