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An interest in hot air balloons has led one Bristol man to navigate and change the history of ballooning, not only locally, but on an international scale.

Cameron Balloons founder and director Don Cameron turned his hobby in to a multi-million dollar business, creating the largest balloon fiesta in Europe and the second largest ballooning event in the world.

Mr Cameron began his career as an aeronautical engineer and says the building of the first modern hot air balloon in Western Europe was discussed over a few drinks at the local gliding club.听

According to Mr Cameron, a friend who worked for National Geographic at the time mentioned that hot air ballooning had just begun in the United States.

鈥淲e thought we would buy one from America but it was too dear to buy, so we decided to build our own,鈥� said Mr Cameron.

Over a few drinks

Mr Cameron went on to create many ballooning 鈥榝irsts鈥� including the first crossing of the Sahara in 1971. He also created the first shape balloon in the world in 1976, using the 鈥榞olly鈥� trademark used at the time on Robertson鈥檚 jam and marmalade.听

鈥淓veryone went crazy and loved it [the first shape balloon],鈥� said Mr Cameron.听

The first Bristol International Balloon Fiesta was created 30 years ago over a few drinks. Mr Cameron says a committee formed by the Junior Chamber organised the ballooning event for the first 10 years.听

鈥淚t [Bristol International Balloon Fiesta] grew to such an enterprise.鈥�

Mr Cameron recalls the first event was much smaller with 鈥渁 few balloons, no fence and people could wander around the balloons.鈥澨� The event today attracts approximately 1.2 million people with up to 150 balloons being launched.

鈥淚t is part of the calendar and is something that everyone can enjoy. We want to preserve the tradition of free entry.听It costs a lot to put it on and we hope to keep it free.听People seem to enjoy it.鈥�

Mr Cameron still takes on the occasional creative project and enjoys the challenges involved with big adventures and record challenges. His current project involves parachutists jumping from a hot air balloon in near space.

Atlantic race

Even with creative projects on the go, Mr Cameron says he would like to organise a balloon race challenge.

鈥淚 would like to get an Atlantic race up and running again.听 It is a wonderful sport.鈥�

He says that for him ballooning has never stopped being fun and that receiving awards from the Queen to aeronautical groups have been some of his proudest moments.

鈥淚t is always nice to receive the acknowledgement and rewards,鈥� he said.

Although ballooning is the oldest form of flight, Mr Cameron thinks the future for ballooning is computer-generated designs.

鈥淚t [ballooning] is too good an idea to ever be given up. I am sure it听 will continue.听 There is always something new meeting modern possibilities,鈥� he said.

鈥淚t [ballooning] is a magical experience.鈥�

The 30th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will be held at Ashton Court from 7 August until 10 August 2008.