Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

There aren't words to describe this, so we made one - "AmazinSpectacFantasticaWow" .

No photographs do this justice. The size of these balloons rising into the sky in mass is stunning.

You are going to need a huge red marker to check this bucket list item off. This happens around the first week of October every year so plan well in advance. Reserve your hotel or RV spot. We found that the RV site just outside the festival grounds were great. It is dry camping, but they take care of you and there are trucks patrolling with fuel, water, and a dump pump. Plan to spend a few days in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

Rating:

Full six-pack from the fridge! Completely lived up to the hype and was well organized, great crowd control, and wonderfully midwest friendly.

The Albuquerque balloon fiesta is 500 to 600 balloons from 20+ countries. Balloons arrive from all over the world in all colors of the rainbow. There are character or "shapes" balloons including Darth Vader, Yoda, the Wells Fargo coach and many others.

Options:

Purchase a ticket and actually ride in one as it lifts off in the morning.
Join the Gondola Club for an evening ( $100/person) and enjoy an open bar, tasty buffet, and clean and "fancy" port-a-potty!

There are hundred of thousands of people that descend onto the 350 acre grounds at 5am to see the dawn patrol and the balloons begin to inflate. Be prepared by dressing warmly but in layers, bring a folding chair, and keep to the paved roads. People crowd onto the grass, but they get pushed back to the roads as the balloons spread out to begin the inflation process.

This is a very laid back event and you can get close enough to touch, but be respectful and be aware that there are inherent dangers in standing too close to an enormous inflating balloon with 12 foot tall gas-driven jets of fire! Just saying...

Events

The Dawn Patrol lifts off before sunrise to check wind conditions aloft, and hopefully find the Albuquerque box. This is air that takes the balloons one direction at an altitude, then the opposite direction at a different altitude. Mass ascension follows shortly, then the Special Shapes Rodeo.

Dawn Patrol

The Dawn Patrol begins the day's events by taking to the sky with position lighting systems that allow them to fly in the dark. Dawn Patrol pilots take off before sunrise and fly until it is light enough to see landing sites. Fellow balloonists watch the balloons and get an early idea of wind speeds and directions at different altitudes.

Mass Ascensions

One of the biggest events of the fiesta, where all participating balloons launch in two waves, filling the sky with hundreds of balloons at once. Launch directors, also known as “zebras” because of their black-and-white-striped referee outfits (and the fact that some of them like sugar cubes), serve as “traffic cops,” coordinating the launch so balloons leave the field in a safe and coordinated manner. You can get a good idea of the timings by staying close to one and listening in on their radios.

Special Shape Rodeo

Many non-traditional, uniquely shaped balloons are launched just after or at the tail end of the mass ascension. Some of the most famous shapes include a milk cow, a wagon coach, twin (or triplet) bees, and many others like soda pop cans, animals, and rockets. This is one of the most popular parts of the event as they are very creative. There was one exceptionally large balloon motorcycle. It was the size of 3 hot air balloons and was breathtaking to watch.

Balloon Glows

Just after sunset large numbers of balloons are illuminated at night by their propane burners. These are also coordinated by the zebras, so listen in again so you are ready with your cameras and video. They stand static and do not take off during these events. The "Glowdeo" is a night glow for the special shapes balloons and is usually at the far end of the grounds.

Special Events and Competitions

The Fiesta Challenge, a game where balloonists attempt to drop a marker closest to a target.
America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, where special long-distance gas balloons are inflated and then launched. The winner of the race is the balloon that travels the farthest. Some balloons in the race have gone as far as Canada and have lasted aloft for days.
The Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension, where balloonists from each nation launch, one at a time, to their national anthem and waving their nation's flag.
Other piloting, skill, and speed competitions.
Fireworks displays.

Tips:

Spend more than one day - the weather doesn't always cooperate.
Bring bikes to get to the the balloon field - they have free bike concierge.
Do a day on the field with the balloons and a day from the cliffs, the different views let you take it all in.
Bring a thermos with hot cocoa and some blankets - the mornings are freezing
Wear layers and don’t forget gloves, too! Did I mention that it is cold?
Brink sunglasses for after sunrise and a bag for the layers. It heats up pretty quick after the sun gets into the sky.