Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Romsey Balloon Festival Faces Backlash Over Fees and Underwhelming Attractions

Licence restrictions coupled with unpredictable weather left visitors with only two brief balloon displays alongside a cancelled fireworks show.

Overview

  • Attendees at the Broadlands event demanded refunds after paying £20 per person for access to limited activities
  • Only two hot-air balloons were inflated during the weekend, with one appearing just 20 minutes before closing
  • Food stalls faced criticism for overpriced and undercooked offerings, while stunt performances were derided as lacklustre
  • Organisers cited weather-dependent safety rules and the absence of a fireworks licence for cancelling advertised displays
  • This latest Romsey controversy follows similar complaints from Manchester and Cornwall stops, underscoring persistent tensions between marketing promises and operational constraints