Amazon: Lift Off, The Fair of the Aeronauts

Building Amazon’s The Aeronauts Fair Experience at the Rose Bowl

3Day Live Event

3000+Attendees

19Acre Event Footprint

In This Case Study:

Services
Challenge
Solution
Impact
Deliverables
Key Information
Photo Gallery

Fly Helo brought in BMG to support Lift Off, The Fair of the Aeronauts, a three-day experiential event created for Amazon’s original film The Aeronauts.

Held at Area H of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the activation transformed a 19-acre open field into a themed fair experience featuring tents, music, guest seating, balloon rides, the Mammoth Balloon, and the world’s first Fly-In Balloon Theatre.

BMG supported the event through planning, event management, site logistics, lighting, front-of-house audio, power distribution, heating, crowd control infrastructure, tenting, seating, load-in support, strike support, and on-site coordination.

The Challenge: Turning an Open Field Into a Guest-Ready Fair

The activation had the scale and ambition of a full outdoor fair, but it started as a 19-acre green field at the Rose Bowl. BMG had to help build the practical event infrastructure around a highly themed guest experience, while coordinating multiple partners, changing requirements, and the technical needs of a balloon-based outdoor activation.

A Large Outdoor Footprint

Area H at the Rose Bowl gave the event the space needed for the Mammoth Balloon, the Fly-In Balloon Theatre, fair tents, entertainment, and guest areas.

That size also created planning needs around layout, transportation, crowd movement, seating, power, lighting, audio, heating, and safety.

Evolving Production Requirements

As the event footprint grew, BMG had to adjust plans for staffing, logistics, generator requirements, tenting, lighting, front-of-house audio, seating, and crowd control.

The project required regular coordination with Fly Helo, Amazon, domestic partners, international partners, and local production teams to keep the event on track.

Technical Needs for a Themed Experience

The production had to support modern event infrastructure while preserving the period-inspired look of The Aeronauts.

That meant lighting, audio, and guest infrastructure needed to function reliably without breaking the visual theme of the fair.

Amazon Aeronauts hot air balloon screening

The Solution: Event Infrastructure Built Around the Experience

BMG helped turn the Rose Bowl field into a temporary event venue that could safely support guests, entertainment, balloon activity, and the Fly-In Theatre across three days.

Planning and Event Management

BMG participated in regular planning calls with Fly Helo, the client team, and production partners leading up to the event.

As the scope evolved, BMG adjusted schedules, logistics, vendor coordination, equipment needs, staffing, and technical requirements.

BMG also had event managers on site throughout setup, show days, and strike to coordinate logistics and keep the activation moving.

Site Buildout and Guest Infrastructure

BMG supported the installation of eight tents, fencing, stanchions, barricades, bleachers, VIP areas, back-of-house areas, and guest circulation infrastructure.

The team also provided transportation, golf carts, forklift support, and other load-in and strike resources needed to build and operate the site efficiently.

Lighting Design and Themed Visuals

BMG provided interior and exterior lighting design and equipment for the event.

The lighting package included exterior LED scoop lights, exterior lanterns, street lights, old-fashioned suspended lights, and table lamps inside the tents. These elements helped support the event’s period-inspired fairground look while keeping the outdoor environment safe and functional.

Audio and Entertainment Support

BMG provided the front-of-house audio infrastructure needed for live announcements and music throughout the event.

The DJ area also required audio support that worked with old-fashioned themed equipment provided by the set designer, helping maintain the look and feel of the activation while still supporting the event’s technical needs.

Power, Heating, and Specialty Requirements

BMG provided redundant power and power distribution across the event site.

The team also supported heating infrastructure to keep guests comfortable during outdoor evening screenings and handled specialized UK-to-U.S. power conversion so the FlexLyte Balloon Theatre could operate properly.

Impact

BMG helped Fly Helo and Amazon turn an open field at the Rose Bowl into a fully operational themed fair attended by more than 3,000 guests.

The event brought the world of The Aeronauts to life through balloon experiences, themed lighting, music, guest seating, fair tents, and the world’s first Fly-In Balloon Theatre.

For the client, the result was an immersive launch experience that felt true to the film while safely supporting a large outdoor audience. For BMG, the project showed how event management, technical production, site logistics, power, lighting, audio, and operational planning can turn an undeveloped outdoor space into a functioning experiential venue.