CLARK FREEPORT­—At least 100,000 people are expected to grace the 17th hot-air balloon fiesta here from Feb. 9-12, organizers said on Monday.

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and CEO Felipe Antonio Remollo said compared to last year’s 84,000 recorded visitors, the four-day balloon fest is expected to draw 100,000 visitors since the free port plays host to a variety of sporting activities during the weekends.

CDC Tourism Officer Noemi Garcia echoed the statements of Remollo, saying “it looks like we will have 100,000 visitors this year.”

At least 25 hot-air balloons, including some featuring special shapes, will be featured, said the CDC in a statement.

The CDC statement further said, “this year’s event would be bigger and better as more American and European balloonists have confirmed attendance.”

Joi Roa, president of Hot Air Balloon Philippines, said that kiwi-shaped, orange- fruit balloon, birthday cake and “flying bubbles” are among the attractions during the event dubbed as “weekend of everything that flies.”

Roa said propane-powered balloons will come from the US, Finland, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Amsterdam, Germany, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Poland, the Netherlands, Austria and the Philippines.

Brand-new Airbus 320s, gigantic planes such C17 and CN235 from the US military force will also be displayed during the four-day fiesta, said Roa.  Other activities lined up for the event include special air sports which include sky diving-cum-flag-jump (pilot carries with him the Philippine Flag on the way down), ultra light planes, aerobatic precision flying, light airplane rally, helicopter flight demo, hang gliding, remote controlled aeromodellers as well as kite flying.  Joey Pavia