Wet morning fails to spoil hot air balloon party


Despite the wet conditions due to an early morning rain, more than 50 guests turned up last Sunday morning for the Around The World In 80 days hot air balloon event.

Starting at 9am, It also attracted the attention of residents living near the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council multi-purpose hall in Bandar Utama.

The event, held in conjunction with the Around The World In 80 days movie starring Jackie chan, was organised by Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and lifestyle portal provider shabox.

Present at the event was GSC general Manager Irving Chee and UnrealMind Interactive Bhd (also known as Shabox) contents and services head Mark Yeo.

During the launch, guests and members of the media were treated to a tethered hot air balloon ride where the balloon rose to about 70m in the air while attached to a rope anchored in the ground.

At the same time, guests witnessed newlyweds Shum May Kum, a GSC staff, and Rahul Roy taking a memorable hot air balloon ride.
The Hot air balloon carried three to four passengers at any one time and the tethered ride was very popular with the residents once the event was opened to the public at 11am.

By midday, a carnival-like atmosphere prevailed with streams of families waiting in line for their turn to take a ride.

Event management company Team Lobos provided the entertainment, games and a host of other activities.
Children were entertained with magical clown shows and animal balloons.

There were also giveaways, a colouring contest and a street soccer match for enthusiasts.

One of the popular promotional booths was Shabox, where the public queued up for exclusive Around The World In 80 Days downloads.

Other booths were set up by MPH bookstores. Cinema Online magazine, Nestle offering ice-cream and coffee, and 1901 hotdogs.

Chee said the hot air balloon event was a special occasion for GSC and guests as it was an experience of a lifetime to be on board a hot air balloon.

" This is one of GSC's many colourful events.

" It is our attempt to be more than just a movie exhibitor and distributor, and become more interactive with our customers and make movie going a total experience," he said.

Yeo said it was an opportunity for the company to bring in one of the biggest blockbuster hits this year.

" The movie is also in line with our company's spirit and theme which strongly supports the entertainment industry," he said.

The event, the first time GSC had organised an outdoor launch using a hot air balloon, lasted until 5pm.

The movie Around The World In 80 Days is based on the 19th century classic novel by Jules Verne.

The movie features special appearances by stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rob Schneider, Karen Mok, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson and Sammo Hung.