Canberra, it's your day to party

IF YOU happened to see a giant kookaburra drifting across Lake Burley Griffin yesterday morning, don't worry, you weren't still dreaming.

It was one of 42 hot-air balloons that glided across the city for the Canberra Festival Balloon Spectacular.

More than 6000 spectators lined the lake's shores for the 6.30am start and despite the slight chill it was a clear and bright start to the nine-day Canberra Festival.

Unlike last year when none of the 35 balloons made it into the air for the event launch, all of the balloons took flight at dawn.

Flight director John Wallington said conditions for flying were ''the best'' he had seen in years.

Mr Wallington said Canberra was one of the most spectacular cities to fly balloons over. ''It's a photographer's dream, it's a kid's dream.''

The only hiccup was a confrontation between organisers and indigenous elders, who were angry a balloon was inflated near the Aboriginal tent embassy's sacred fire. Mr Kinsmore said the altercation was a ''misunderstanding'' and that the launch point would be moved 100m back so as not to ''upset anyone''.

The sunny weather continued during the day, with temperatures hitting 27degrees.

In Civic, hundreds of Canberrans and tourists relaxed in the beer garden of King O'Malley's for the boutique beer festival.

It was the first time the Irish pub had run the event, with beers such as Cooper's Vintage Ale and Germany's Lowenbrau Original on tap, and 100 different bottled beers on offer.

Managing director Peter Barclay said tasting platters were available with the beers.

''So people can have half a dozen oysters with their Guinness, or kransky with their Lowenbrau,'' he said.

The fun continued into the night, with Kung Fu Panda screening in Garema Place for Films at Twilight.

Others decided to step, or rather, dance back in time.

The Bush Capital Ball at Albert Hall attracted dancers of all ages, including Amy Shellard, 16, of Wamboin, and Bessie Sammut, 78, of Nicholls.

Wearing a hoop and drawers under a pale pink dress, Amy said she felt like Cinderella.

Mrs Sammut, who made her own purple dress shot through with lace and ribbon, agreed the 1860s-inspired dresses were very feminine. As for those fancy steps, MrsSammut said, ''It keeps me young, truly.''

While Canberra turns 96, to keep the capital city young Canberrans should head to Commonwealth Park tomorrow from 2pm to party with Darwin singer Jessica Mauboy and rock band Hoodoo Gurus.

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