The full story about the hot air balloon can be read here.

A few days ago I heard about the many balloons that were coming to my hometown of Zwolle in the Netherlands for a huge event. And quite to my surprise (I knew of it existence, but I didn't expect to see it here) the Darth Vader hot air balloon was going to be a major presence for three days, and it was going to be a huge show. Also, people were invited to dress up as Star Wars characters. You can understand, I just had to be there.

The first night it would appear was a Thursday night, but the weather conditions weren't that great. As time passed, many balloons went up, and things looked good for Darth Vader. People began to inflate the balloon and finally it began to take shape. When fully inflated, it looked astonishingly and beautifully (well, for a balloon), an exact copy of Darth Vader.

For a few minutes everyone enjoyed it and pictures were taken. Then the music began to play. First the main Star Wars theme and then the Imperial March. We all believed there was no way back. But then, all of a sudden, they let the air escape and the balloon was taken to the ground, with the Imperial March still playing in the background...
Its first navigation had been postponed.

Friday had a rainy evening, and none of the hot air balloons had even been inflated. But Saturday the weather was brighter and the meteorologist allowed the event to be continued. Again I waited at the sideline with hundreds of other people. We were not alone, Boba Fett and an Imperial Stormtrooper were among us. I was able to take this picture, just before Boba pointed his gun at me.

Finally Darth Vader returned to his familiar shape, even though the presenter kept referring to it as "Darth Fedder"..... (Many fans told him he was wrong, but he just couldn't remember). The sky looked great when compared to the day before, and the Dark Lord himself was inspecting it. When completely inflated, he tried to fight his way of the ground, a dozen of people and a car were needed to keep him there. But then again came the horrible news, he wasn't going to leave.... Everything had been postponed. Many people left, but I took some more pictures. Until, in the end, Darth Vader lost his fight, and he was taken down again...

Official news reported it hadn't gone up on Thursday due to bad weather conditions and its enormous size. Many other, smaller balloons, had chosen the sky. Friday was simply too rainy, but no explanation so far (for as far as I know) has been given as to why it didn't go up on Saturday. I can only hope nothing is wrong with it and the reason is again the weather.

Darth Vader's next attempt is scheduled for 29th June in Han/Lesse in Belgium, according to the official site. I don't think I'll be there, though I enjoyed the past three days despite the results. If someone else is planning to go there, I wouldn't mind knowing.

May the Force be with you!

EDIT: I almost forgot to mention; since it was supposed to be its first navigation, they were going to "baptise" it. (I hope that's the proper word for a balloon, this was all the dictionairy gave me) That's why I was so keen to see it of the ground. But since it didn't turn out as it had been planned, that never happened...