A once in a lifetime experience is happening in Maitland soon and it's guaranteed to be quite the spectacle.
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In January 2022, people will have the opportunity to see the famous floating Skywhale and new companion Skywhalepapa by Patricia Piccinini make their Maitland debut.
Presented by Maitland Regional Art Gallery and Maitland City Council's Vibrant Cities in partnership with the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
Skywhales: Every heart sings is a National Gallery Touring Event supported by Principal Partner The Naomi Milgrom Foundation and Visions of Australia. This is a Know My name project.
People can join the pre-dawn festivities at this once in a lifetime community event.
Pack a blanket and thermos or enjoy a coffee and snack from onsite vendors, then sit back as the pair slowly rise from the ground and, if weather permits, take off across local skies.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery director Gerry Bobsien said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"It is such a spectacle and such a beautiful community event," she said.
"They'll start spreading out the balloons at around 4.30am so people are encouraged to come around 5am.
"You've got a huge seven-story work of art being inflated. We will also have coffee carts and Rotary doing bacon and egg rolls I can't stress enough, it will be so joyous."
Inflation takes 90 minutes with the flight estimated at sunrise (about 6am).
The event will be held on Saturday, January 15 at Maitland No 1 Sportsground and tickets are free but bookings are essential.