Take part in the Kungur International Aeronautics Festival "Sky Fair"

In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers first launched a balloon into the air. It was a linen ball glued with paper. It was puffed up over a fire in which they burned finely chopped straw. It rose quite high and went down after 10 minutes, having flown about three kilometers during this time. Since then, hot air ballooning has attracted romantics around the world. I invite you to take part in the Kungur International Aeronautics Festival "Sky Fair" - one of the most beautiful and memorable cultural and sports holidays not only in the Perm Territory but throughout Russia.  

Festival History

The first Aeronautics Festival Ural Sky Fair started on July 14, 2002. It was held as a part of the celebration of Kungur City Day. The spectacular part of the festival included free flight over the city of all balloons and the grandiose “Night Glow” when in the dark the balloons became like huge light bulbs. Then, only six balloons rose to the sky over Kungur. For a week, the residents of the city witnessed the first in the history of the region sports and entertainment competitions of aeronauts.

Festivals began to be held every year. In 2019, the "Sky Fair" gathered 50.000 spectators. Only the closing ceremony of the festival was attended by 15.000 people. 

Festival program

The festival program is diverse and will satisfy the most demanding tastes. This is a demonstration of retro cars, a fashion show, a dog show, photoshoots, various workshops, performances by musicians of different directions, and the like. 

The main thing is that this is connected with the theme of the festival. All this is on the ground, and exciting events are taking place in the sky: sports competitions of aeronauts and paragliders, demonstrations of ultralight aviation, and the drop of paratroopers. But the most interesting sight is the Air Battle over Kungur.

Air Battle over Kungur

The Air Battles over Kungur is a role-playing game simulating comic military operations. Under the terms of the game, two armies are created. Each has its own aviation, navy, and infantry. Ultralight aviation, aerostat and parachute units, catamarans, and the local population are involved in the game.

Each team has commanders and admirals, and there are scouts. Saboteurs are trying to violate the plans of the commanders. The game is under the control of military observers. Targets are hit by special combat markers. The battle lasts several days. Every day subtotals are summarized. Winners receive rewards, and the audience gets an exciting sight, where the intrigue is maintained until the end.

Where to stay

In Kungur, there are many small hotels and hostels. "Iren" and "Tower" are perhaps the best. There are clean, comfortable rooms, polite staff, and the food is delicious. Lovers of nature and silence can choose a country campsite. In the agricultural village "Stepanovo Gorodishche" there is a guarded parking lot, beaches and volleyball courts. You can visit the farm, drink fresh milk, look after the horses, and even ride a horse. Wooden houses are for eight to nine beds. The campsite is located in the village of Lensk, 25 kilometers from Kungur.

Thirty kilometers from the city is the village of Snegiri. Here, in the "Snegirevsky estate", you can rent a house for five to eight people. There is a kitchen where you can cook your own meals. Nearby is the Sylva River; there is excellent fishing available there. You can also visit a Russian steam bath. Remember that reservations must be made in advance. The festival "Sky Fair" is very popular, and many visitors come from all over Russia and from abroad.

Tent camps

If you want to completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the festival and are not too picky, then you are welcome to camp in a tent here. One of the best campsites is located in Kungur, called  Birch Grove Campsite. It has everything you need in the field, plus the ability to order food in a restaurant. 

The second tent camp will be organized at the Mylniki Airfield. Here, there are Spartan conditions - there is only security, water, and toilets. But directly above the head are the flights of the festival small aviation. In addition, you can fly on a paraglider in tandem with an instructor, on a paratrike and in a hot-air balloon. The airport is four kilometers from Kungur.

How to get there

It is best to get to Kugur from Perm by train. The distance is about 80 kilometers. You will have to drive 100 kilometers along the highways. Trains also run from Yekaterinburg to Kungur. By car, you can get there in two and a half hours, the distance from Yekaterinburg to Kungur is 279 kilometers. By the way, if you are planning to take part in the Kungur International Aeronautics Festival Sky Fair, do not forget to visit the Kungur Ice Cave,  the kingdom of ice and stone in the Urals.

Usually, the festival is held in late June-early July and coincides with Kungur City Day. Over the years, about 400 crews from Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Japan, and other countries took part in the "Sky Fair". Attending the Kungur International Aeronautics Festival "Sky Fair" as a spectator or even a participant, you will experience perhaps one of the most exciting adventures in life.  

The Kungur International Aeronautics Festival "Sky Fair"

9WPX+C3 Novaya Derevnya, Perm Krai, Russia