site.bta Campaign Gives Children, Young People with Disabilities Opportunity to Fly in Hot Air Balloon Over Belogradchik Rocks

The campaign Lions Give Wings offers children and young people with disabilities the opportunity to fly in a hot air balloon.

“They will fly for free, and over the Belogradchik Rocks in a way that everyone would want to experience,” Evtim Stefanov, President of the Lions Club – Vidin, told BTA. He added that the goal is to encourage these children to experience something different from their everyday lives.

From September 12 to 14, the second edition of the Lions Balloon Festival will be held in the Panairishte area in Belogradchik, Stefanov added. He said that this is a charity event in which the organiser, Lions Club Vidin, will use all net proceeds collected from the festival for the benefit of children in Northwest Bulgaria. 

Stefanov also announced that from September 19 to October 19, the fifth edition of the Balloon Fiesta will take place in Belogradchik, and for the first time it will last an entire month due to high interest. He explained that the long duration will allow more people to join, expecting guests from other countries across all Europe and even one Australian participant.

The balloons will take off between the rocks and fly above them in the wind’s direction, the organisers clarified. The flight will last 30 or 60 minutes, and the balloon will climb up to an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. The experience will also offer a panoramic ascent that lasts 7-8 minutes, with the balloon tied with ropes, rising to 77 meters, revealing a view of the Belogradchik Rocks.

The Panairishte area in Belogradchik is the most suitable place for ballooning, explained Stefanov. He emphasised his hopes that Lions Club will raise enough money to continue supporting people in need.