Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta!

Every year since the 70's, Albuquerque has hosted a hot air balloon festival. This year it lasted from October 3rd-11th. Every morning they would have a mass ascension right after dawn. At night the festival hosted a balloon glow after dusk where balloons would inflate but stay on the ground, then the balloon operators blow flames into the balloon to illuminate it from within. Unfortunately, the night we went to the balloon glow, the winds were too high, and the balloons kept getting blown over, so the balloonists were forced to pack up their balloons.



On the second day of the festival, Sunday, October 4th, Bob and I got up at 4:30am to get to the fiesta with plenty of time to park, get a breakfast burrito, and find a good spot to watch the balloons.

First balloon up! Bob got a good shot of the moon behind the torch of the balloon. This balloon had a huge US flag that unfurled from the bottom of the gondola as it took off.
The Beginning. First the crew (notice the pirate hat) takes the balloon out of the carrying case and spreads it out on the ground.
Next they roll out a huge fan and generator. The fan blows air into the balloon while other crew members hold the opening open.
The inside of the balloon being blown up by the fan only.
Next they light up the torch. As the air inside the balloon heats up, the balloon and gondola tilt upright.
And off they go! Several people hold on the the basket and walk along with the balloon until it has enough lift to spring into the air. Then fiesta volunteers blow their whistles and get everyone out of the way so they don't get mowed over by the balloon basket. Then the people holding on to the basket let go, and the balloon takes off. The balloon operator for this balloon had two rolls of streamers that he tipped over the side as they took off so the balloon had a pretty little 'tail'. Then the crew members that helped the balloon take off pack up their van or truck and 'chase' the balloon to where it lands. At the landing they all have breakfast, pack up the balloon, and go home.
Tons of balloons took off in a matter of a couple hours. As you can see, there were tons of balloons and tons of people. It seemed like it took about 10 people to get the balloon up into the air, then each balloon would have 30-50 spectators who moved from balloon to balloon as each one took off.
Pepsi, proud sponsor of the fiesta!
Balloons taking off as the sun rises.


We had a great morning at the park! It was 48 degrees when we started before sunrise and 67 degrees when we left around 9am. The park is usually used for a golf course, so it was a huge grassy field that spectators could go walk around on, and the balloonists didn't have to worry about snagging their balloon fabric on rocks or sharp sticks. Encircling the golf course were vendors and little shops set up like a street fair or county fair. So we got to pig out on fair food while we waited for the action to begin, however, the fair food isn't quite the same as in Iowa. They are big into burritos down here for breakfast and dinner. They sold things called Frito pies which are like walking tacos but with Fritos, traditional chili, lettuce, tomato, and cheese. And everything has red or green chili on it: burgers, corndogs, etc. Also, instead of having lemon shake ups they have 'agua fresca' which is a melon infused water, kind of like lemonade but with melon instead of lemons. But we did get a funnel cake and mini donuts, yum!


Now we have been to a balloon festival in Colorado Springs and in Albuquerque. Both of them were very interesting, colorful, and fun to attend. We definitely recommend it.