The St Austell Brewery Bristol International Balloon Fiesta launched yesterday and unveiled the world's first solar hybrid balloon which will take its maiden flight at this year's event, which takes place between 6th and 9th August.

The Fiesta announced its title sponsor for the 2015 event as St Austell Brewery, shortly after showcasing the start of build for the Bristol 2015 funded hybrid solar-powered hot air balloon, to mark Bristol's status as the UK's first European Green Capital.

The balloon, developed by Cameron Balloons, will be the first solar-powered certified aircraft in the world. The balloon will be a hybrid aircraft, partially powered by the sun and partially powered by a conventional propane burner.

This week, panels of fabric, specifically selected to soak in the sun's rays will be cut and sewn together to create the balloon envelope, by a number of specialist sewing machinists on the top floor of the Bristol-based factory. Work on the aircraft is expected to complete by late July to allow time for test inflations.

As production got underway, the internationally-renowned balloon manufacturer's inflation room was transformed to host a gala dinner, where St Austell Brewery were announced as title sponsors, while Eurorecycling will be Saturday Nightglow Sponsors, local events business McBaile Exclusive Catering will be Thursday Nightglow Sponsors and Red Letter Days will be the Air Display Partner.

Vicky Guy, sales development manager at St Austell Brewery, commented: "We're incredibly excited to be named the title sponsor. This is more than we could have ever imagined. We've grown in Bath and Bristol over the last three years and we're so proud to be sponsoring the Fiesta".

Jane Oakland, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, commented: "Bristol is the capital of ballooning and we're thrilled that the Fiesta will act as the launch pad for the first hybrid solar hot air balloon, especially in the year the city is the European Green Capital. We now have four fantastic sponsors announced who after supporting the fiesta 100 Club will be associated with not only a world-class event, but also a world first".

The annual free event will see over 130 hot air balloons take off from Ashton Court Estate at dawn and dusk, and light up the skies at night with evening balloon glows. It offers entertainment for all the family featuring four days of colourful hot-air balloon displays, aerial displays, fairground rides, delicious food stalls and bar, balloon tethering, model aircraft displays, experiential activities and a local music stage.

To find out more about this year's festival, visit or follow @BristolBalloon and www.facebook.com/bristolinternationalballoonfiesta.