While there were some truly memorable moments at this year's Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, the overall event was badly affected by the weather.

The first day of the festival proved to be a huge success with Darth Vader taking to the skies during the first-ever Thursday morning mass ascent, before a Night Glow set to a soundtrack celebrating Bristol's icons brought a stylish close to the day.

But following that all seven mass ascents and the remaining Night Glow scheduled to take place were cancelled, with the entire site closed to the public on Saturday as strong gusts of wind battered Ashton Court.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2019 was hampered by bad weather

Sadly it was a similar story last year too with the first three mass ascents cancelled due to wind, which has prompted a lot of people in Bristol to ask the same question: "Why can't the event be moved to a different weekend?"

The Fiesta's organisers have been inundated with the idea and it has been asked plenty of times in the comment section of Bristol Live's Facebook page throughout our coverage, too.

Why the Fiesta will not be moved to a different weekend

Chris Allcock, chairman of the organising committee, said there are a number of reasons why the iconic spectacle will not be moved, despite the problems it has faced over the past two years.

"Over the last few days we’ve received various enquiries regarding the dates of the event and whether the Fiesta should take place earlier in the year," he told Bristol Live.

"While we truly appreciate how disappointing this weekend has been for our visitors, traders and the team personally, the weather is an entity that is entirely out of our control.

Darth Vader floats over the Clifton Suspension Bridge at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2019

"Moving the date would not be a guaranteed way of overcoming the challenges we’ve faced this year as the weather is never a certainty.

"Although the last two years have been difficult, it was only a few years ago the balloons flew in every one of the seven scheduled mass ascents for the first time in the event’s history.

"Operationally hosting the event earlier in the year wouldn’t work as we would inevitably compete with other balloon meets around the world and due to daylight hours we’d be looking at mass ascents taking place as early as 4.30am and Night Glows needing to take place as late as 10.30pm."

Mr Allcock added that he is "optimistic for the future" and that he "hopes the weather will be kind to us in 2020".