EARTH, WIND AND FLYERS…PART 2

Saturday, October 2 – What a memorable day!  This year’s theme is “Earth, Wind and Flyers.”  It is the 39th International Balloon Fiesta. The Albuquerque Fiesta traces its origins to the ascent of 13 balloons on a chilly April morning in 1972.

Since we are volunteers, we get into every event free. A visitor needs to pay $10 for parking a day and $6 entrance.  Most events begin at 6:00 a.m. then break around 11:30 with the next one beginning at 4:00. If you visit just twice in one day, you already have $32 wrapped up in the Balloon Fiesta. When the balloons are flying or glowing, there are tons of other activities like bungee jumping, tons of merchandise tents, food vendor galore, and not to be left out the carnie games.

 

We started the morning with our breakfast in the “Landing” tent. They have a few choices each morning. It was packed.

 

Each morning at 6:00 a.m. a dawn patrol balloon goes up to check the currents.

There is opening ceremonies each morning with one balloon carrying the flag. The first one was the Albuquerque balloon.

Now the fun begins. There were approximately 500 balloons in the Mass Ascension held at 7:00 a.m. Marsha couldn’t snap the camera fast enough. These balloons were still lifting off 9:30.  It is so nice to be able to walk through the infield as the balloons are inflated and launched.  Unlike the Football Hall of Fame Balloon Festival where the public is fenced off the infield, Albuquerque has found a way to include the public safely, and it sure pays off for a fantastic experience. You can touch the balloons, hear launch directions, share the excitement as volunteer crew members are invited to “fly” with the pilot, and watch the joy of children as the balloons lift off around them. WOW what an experience!

They are so close together that they actually lean on each other until one of the balloons gets clearance to lift off.

Then the skies fill with balloons. What a site!

Not only did standard balloons lift off but there were tons of special shape balloons.

It was packed! Can you tell?

This lady went all out. Marsha thought her skirt was great.

Texas has a huge tourism section.

We were to work from 4:00 – 7:30 but lightning and black clouds closed the balloon glow down at 6:30. We all went home and watched college football.

To see more of these awesome balloons, click here for group balloons and click here for some individual shots of balloons. As soon as we buy a program, we will have the names for most of the balloons.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you come back again. Have a great day.