The start of the Sinulog Grand Parade – one of the most famous festivals on the Philippine calendar, which attracts millions of visitors each year – was delayed by 30 minutes thanks to a power outage caused by a foil balloon.
The balloon caused the power cut after it got entangled with a primary electricity line along the route of the carnival. The power was out across a significant part of the city, including Barangay Sambag 1, where the Cebu City Sports Center – which plays host to the parade – is located.
Balloons had been banned from the event just days before, when head of operations for the organisers DWUP Genevieve Alcoseba announced that the selling and flying of balloons along the Sinulog route and at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño would be strictly prohibited.
“Unfortunately, they are banned in case they cause a blackout that might cause the public to panic,” she said. “We are late to ban the balloons but we are asking our registered balloon vendors to co-operate.”
Balloon street traders were urged to find other products to sell and asked to cooperate for the general welfare of the public.
Last week also saw a balloon causing a power outage in Gisbourne, New Zealand – affecting about 700 customers in the Makaraka and Te Hapara areas for up to half an hour.
Eastland Network general manager Brent Stewart said this was due to a large metal party balloon making contact with the conductors by Showgrounds Park.
