People watch hot balloons flying above the sky during the 5-day Balloons Over Waikato activity in Hamilton, New Zealand, March 16, 2021. (Photo by Zhu Xi/Xinhua)
HAMILTON, New Zealand, March 17 (Xinhua) — Balloons over Waikato, an annual hot air balloon festival, kicked off in Hamilton, New Zealand on Tuesday.
The five-day iconic event is arguably the most popular event in the city, attracting both local and overseas balloonists. Due to the closed borders, there are no international balloons this year.
Hot-air balloons are seen during the 5-day Balloons Over Waikato activity in Hamilton, New Zealand, March 16, 2021. (Photo by Zhu Xi/Xinhua)
People take part in the 5-day Balloons Over Waikato activity in Hamilton, New Zealand, March 16, 2021. (Photo by Zhu Xi/Xinhua)
A hot-air balloon is seen during the 5-day Balloons Over Waikato activity in Hamilton, New Zealand, March 16, 2021. (Photo by Zhu Xi/Xinhua)
People take part in the 5-day Balloons Over Waikato activity in Hamilton, New Zealand, March 16, 2021. (Photo by Zhu Xi/Xinhua)■