“A magician has spent the last 12 months creating a different amazing balloon model every day – including cartoon characters and even a life-sized balloon bike. Magician Rob Driscoll, or Robbie the Wizard as he is known in his magic act, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, has fashioned balloons into various shapes for the past year. He has spent time creating famous cartoon characters such as Gru from Despicable Me, Spongebob Squarepants and Sonic the Hedgehog, which he gives away to children at his shows”. – Caters News Agency. Photo: “Scorpian”. (Photo by Rob Driscoll/Caters News Agency)

People are seen watching hot air balloons fly overhead during a two-day international hot air balloon festival in Eshkol Park near the southern city of Netivot, Israel July 22, 2016. (Photo by Amir Cohen/Reuters)

A giant floating replica of the Brazilian Christ The Redeemer statue rolled into Melbourne today ahead of next week’s World Cup, and the city wasn’t overly pleased with the display.

A hot air balloon competition called “Grudziadzkie Zawody Balonowe” is held in Lisie Katy, central-northern Poland, 14 May 2021. The compe​tition is held for the eighteenth time. (Photo by Tytus Zmijewski/EPA/EFE)

This view shows giant hot air balloons of various shapes being lifted to begin flights from the Metropolitan Park over the city of Leon during the 2025 International Balloon Festival (FIG) in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico on November 15, 2025. (Photo by Mario Armas/AFP Photo)

Hot-air balloons fly over Metropolitano park during the International Hot-Air Balloon Festival in Leon, state of Guanajuato, Mexico on November 19, 2023. (Photo by Henry Romero/Reuters)

A paddle boarder watches a hot air balloon flying low over Lake Burley Griffin on the 30th anniversary of Canberra's Balloon Spectacular festival in Australia's capital, March 14, 2016. (Photo by Lukas Coch/Reuters/AAP)

Crew members work to secure a hot air balloon after landing during the 2015 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 4, 2015. (Photo by Lucas Jackson/Reuters)