More than 60 hot air balloons of various shapes and sizes flew over the city of Igualada as European Balloon Festival kicked off on Thursday in Barcelona, Spain. /VCG Photo

As the theme "animals" suggests, this year's event features five hot air balloons with forms of koalas, panthers, cheetahs, lions and parrots. /VCG Photo

The European Balloon Festival has become the largest aerostatic concentration in Spain and one of the biggest hot air balloon events in Europe. /VCG Photo