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Albuquerque's Greatest Show On (and Above) Earth

The world's largest ballooning event returns to Albuquerque for its 44th year

September 16, 2015 // By Steve Larese

By Steve Larese
Travel Expert September 16, 2015

 
  • slide 1

    Zia Glow

    A balloon featuring the Zia – New Mexico's state symbol that was created at Zia Pueblo – adorns a balloon participating in a Balloon Glow, during which balloons remain tethered as they flare their burners to illuminate their envelopes. 
     

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 2

    Mass Ascension

    The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s signature event is the mass ascension, during which all 550 registered balloons lift off in waves and fill the sky. Mass ascensions are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3; Sunday Oct. 4; Wednesday, Oct. 7; Saturday, Oct. 10; and Sunday, Oct. 11, in 2015. Liftoffs begin at 7 a.m.

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 3

    Solo Flight

    A balloon drifts past the Sandía Mountains. Visitors can experience the fiesta from the air. For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, help is always needed with launching balloons and helping them to land as part of a chase crew. Visit the balloon fiesta website for more information about these opportunities. 

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 4

    It's a Zoo Out There

    Zebras are the officials on the field who make sure balloons launch safely. Their readily identifiable uniforms are often embellished to the delight of visitors, but also so that pilots can easily spot them in the crowd to look for launch instructions. 

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 5

    Sea of Color

    During Mass Ascensions, all balloons launch over the course of three waves. The most balloons ever to fly at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was 1,000 balloons in 2000; numbers have been limited since then due to safety concerns. To beat the traffic and parking lines, use the event's Park & Ride system. Or better yet, ride a bike to fiesta.

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 6

    Safety Check

    A pilot inspects his balloon before heating the air with a burner. Envelopes are first inflated with a large fan before the air is heated, giving the balloon its lift.

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 7

    Sky Diving

    Special shape balloons (any non-traditionally shaped teardrop balloon) have their own flying days, called Special Shape Rodeos. You can get a preview of the creative balloons attending the 2015 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – ranging from an Angry Bird to Humpty Dumpty – online.

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 8

    Pie in the Sky

    A Jack-O-Lantern special shape grins into the October sky during a Mass Ascension. More than 90 special shapes, defined as any balloon not traditionally shaped, will participate in the 2015 balloon fiesta.

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 9

    Up and Over

    A humingbird flies over a panda during a mass ascension, during which more than 100,000 spectators can fill the 78-acre launch field. Mass ascension occurs on the weekends and Wednesday of the balloon fiesta.

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 10

    Splash and Dash

    When winds are favorable, balloonists enjoy drifting along the Río Grande that flows to the west of the balloon park. Some perform splash-n-dashes, in which pilots skillfully touch down on the water's surface before lifting off again. Guided kayaking tours allow spectators to view this spectacle close up. Albuquerque's sunny weather, cold mornings and air currents created by the Sandia Mountains – called "the box" – make Albuquerque one of the prime ballooning cities in the world.

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

  • slide 11

    Fire in the Sky

    Fireworks fill the sky after balloon glows, when balloons remain on the ground but flare their burners to illuminate their colorful envelopes. Firework shows go on even if winds are too strong to inflate.

    Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

Albuquerque’s azure skies become a surreal sight in early October, as dragons, cows, princesses and even Darth Vader and Yoda take flight during the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico.

Sponsored by Canon this year the themed "Where Dreams Take Flight," the world’s largest balloon festival and most photographed event on the planet sees more than 550 hot-air balloons from 18 countries and 45 states lift off daily during the first week of October.

Throughout the week, an estimated 500,000 people will attend the early-morning launches and evening balloon glows.

Yoda from "Star Wars" delights spectators at the 2014 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. He, his friend Darth Vader and 548 other balloons – almost 100 of which are special shape balloons – return to Albuquerque the first week of October. — Photo courtesy of Steve Larese

New for 2015, Parabatix is a group of international freestyle paramotor (motorized paragliders) pilots that will race and perform acrobatics above the balloon field after morning ballooning events. 

Also new this year, laser light shows will take place mornings and evenings, with laser art using inflated balloons as screens in displays choreographed to music.

Throughout the week, balloons launch in waves beginning at 5:30 a.m. In the evenings, tethered balloons create a forest of glowing color throughout the 78-acre grass field, followed by fireworks.

Ballooning competitions test pilots’ skills as they compete for prizes, such as trying to hit ground targets with beanbags.

Hundreds of vendors offer everything from breakfast burritos to collectable ballooning pins.

Saturday, Oct. 10, sees the Music Fiesta headlining The Band Perry, with opening acts Gloriana and Two Way Crossing.

Music begins at 1:15 p.m., and Music Fiesta-goers are admitted to the following Balloon Glow and fireworks for no additional charge. Tickets begin at $8, with reserved seating at $50.

General parking is $10 per session, and admission is $8 per morning and evening sessions. Children 12 years and younger are admitted free.

Park and Ride buses avoid the traffic and take visitors directly to the park for $20 total. Free bicycle storage is available for those who’d prefer to pedal to this one-of-a-kind event.

Visitors should wear layered clothing, as the mornings can be cold. But it quickly warms up once the sun crests the Sandía Mountains.

Bring cash, too, as some of the food and craft booths don’t accept credit cards.

For a new way to experience the balloons, consider a guided kayaking trip on the Rio Grande to see balloons drifting along the river, and avoid the traffic and get some exercise with the Routes Bicycle Rentals Balloon Fiesta Bike Tour.

After the balloons have landed, make sure to explore the rest of Albuquerque's many unique attractions, such as its Sandia Aerial Tramway, one of the longest in the world.

Or stop in at one of the best restaurants near the balloon fiesta grounds.

The 2015 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, to Sunday, Oct. 11. For a complete listing of events, visit the balloon fiesta's website. 

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About Steve Larese

Travel journalist Steve Larese also writes for National Geographic Traveler, American Way and other publications. Follow on Twitter and Instagram.

Read more about Steve Larese here.

Connect with Steve via: Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest


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