The 48th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta begins in Bristol, with images from multiple outlets showing the event getting under way under blue skies. Coverage describes the fiesta as one of the largest balloon events in Europe and notes that activities are underway as balloons prepare for flight and crowds view displays from the ground. The reporting focuses on the start of the festival and highlights the atmosphere at the launch period, with balloons rising as the day’s weather supports flying conditions. Other outlets also run picture-based coverage of the same opening phase, presenting similar scenes of the balloons and the event setting. Across sources, there is agreement that this is the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta’s 48th edition and that the festival starts on Friday, marking the beginning of multiple days of balloon-related activity. No sources provide additional detail on specific flights, participating teams, or schedule changes in the material provided.