Hot air balloon festival leaves families deflated

CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN EVENT FAILED TO LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS

- By GRTEA SIMPSON

A FAMILY festival promising live music and hot air balloon displays has been criticised by parents online as 'overcrowded' and 'overpriced' with 'overflowing rubbish bins' - as well as lacking any hot air balloons.

On its website, the Balloons and Beats Festival at Platt Fields Park promised 'captivating hot air balloon displays, 'electrifying live music' and 'a thrilling celebration of family fun, infectious rhythms and captivating performances'.

Its press release in February was covered by the Manchester Evening News, BBC Manchester and Visit Manchester.

Holly Green said she paid £58 for a family ticket (two adults and two children) including parking yesterday (June 28). The M.E.N. understands that family entry was later reduced to £22 on the door.

"We love festivals and we liked the idea of a festival in the city," Holly told the M.E.N.

"It was billed as a great day out with monster truck displays and a kid's zone. It looked very relaxed and romantic in their ads."

But Holly said the event didn't match what had been advertised. "In reality it was just a noisy and overpriced funfair," she said. "We paid so much for entry but were charged £5 for rides on top of that. There was a ramp but no monster trucks or BMX displays - and there were no actual balloons, just baskets."