The International Hot Air Balloon Festival (FIBAQ), which marks its 28th edition this year, is organized by the company Publibalão, in collaboration with the Alentejo Sem Fronteiras balloon club.

Contacted by Lusa, Aníbal Soares, from the organizers, explained that this year's edition includes flights in the municipalities of Ponte de Sor, Avis, Alter, Monforte, and Fronteira, in the district of Portalegre.

"We hold this festival in the region (Portalegre) also because of the São Martinho summer, the fields themselves, and the location where we are located. When we started ballooning, we also received support from local authorities, who continue to support us, and I think we need to promote this area, which also has very good technical characteristics," he said.

The event is expected to feature "31 to 35 teams" this year, according to Aníbal Soares, coming from Portugal, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The FIBAQ will pass through Ponte de Sor on November 8th, followed by Montargil, also in the same municipality (on the 9th), Benavila in the municipality of Avis (morning flight on the 10th), and then in the afternoon in Fronteira.

The festival will then pass through Alter do Chão (on the 11th) and Monforte (on the 12th), concluding the following day in Fronteira.

In addition to the flight launches, FIBAQ annually features a night-time light, colour, and sound show, "Night Glow," in which "hot air balloon flames are released to the rhythm of music," taking place in Ponte de Sor.

Hot air balloon flights will almost always take place twice a day, at 7:00 or 7:30 AM and at 2:00 or 2:30 PM, weather permitting.

According to the organizers, those interested in flying in a hot air balloon must purchase charity and tethered flight wristbands, the proceeds of which go to local institutions and associations, as well as to volunteer fire departments in participating areas.

According to the organizers, charity wristbands cost €99 per person on weekends and €75 during the week.

"Tethered flight launches will have a symbolic cost of €7 per person," they add.

The festival first took place in 1997 and served as the basis for the opening, in 2012, of the country's first school for hot air balloon pilots, in Fronteira.