Residents’ opinions are split over proposals by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to ground the annual Balloons over Basingstoke festival.
Borough council bosses backed plans to axe the balloons in favour of a new-look, two week festival focusing on music and cultural events.
In a survey of 50 people by the Basingstoke Observer, opinions of town residents were divided over the decision to axe the event.
All 15 to 18-year-olds asked were in favour of the new festival instead of Balloons over Basingstoke.
In contrast, 85 per cent of over 30-year-olds we spoke to did not want to see the balloon festival cancelled.
Diane Jackson, 51, said: “The young kids love watching the balloons. I definitely want to see Balloons over Basingstoke stay.”
The music festival will build on Basingstoke Live, which was launched in 2006 and has seen visitor numbers increasing 100 per cent each year.
James Gale, 17, said: “I’d definitely prefer the music festival instead of the balloons.”
A report to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said the council could not afford to put on both events.
The document suggested making steps towards putting on more events this summer as a pilot run for a new festival starting in 2012.
Councillor Andrew McCormick said: “Balloons over Basingstoke is one of the top 10 such events in the country. It is a very high profile event.”
The balloon festival, which has been running for 15 years, relies on good weather and the balloons can only take off at 6am and 6pm.
Cllr McCormick said the cancellation of Balloons over Basingstoke was effectively a done deal because the show’s organisers have pulled out due to uncertainties over the future of the event.
An alternative specialist company would be needed it to go ahead next year.
Cllr McCormick said: “People of Basingstoke have a right to be annoyed. It was not a democratic decision.”
Cllr McCormick said Basingstoke would struggle to match up to other nearby festivals such as Guilfest and Reading, and questioned Basingstoke’s ability to attract people from outside the town.
“I’m not altogether sure what success it will have,” he said.
A one-off £20,000 cash boost was approved by the council in June to fund a festival co-ordinator.
Simon Ward from Hampshire Economic Partnership said: “I see no reason why Basingstoke should not make progress in the direction of other successful festivals and carve out a niche in the market itself.
“It already has well established cultural venues.”
