Ad for Safe Sex: Massive Floating Condom

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- Concertgoers at a festival in the Dutch city of Lichtenvoorde were treated to an unusual sight Friday: A pink hot air balloon 127 feet high, shaped exactly like a condom, drifting lazily across the sky.

The balloon, with the words "Vrij Veilig" _ Dutch for "Safe Sex" _ was launched by the public health service in the eastern district of Gelre-Ijssel, near the German border.

The director of the health service, known by its Dutch acronym GGD, said the festival was an ideal opportunity to reach young people. More than 80,000 are expected to attend the three-day Zwarte Cross event _ a combination motor-cross race and hard rock concert, with Dutch gothic metal band "Within Temptation" headlining.

"This is a playful way of asking for attention to the problem of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and AIDS," said Laurent de Vries.

Nurses on the concert grounds also handed out educational material and free condoms as part of the campaign, he said.