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Albuquerque Gears Up For 40th Annual Balloon Fiesta

By John McCormack, CRS

Real Estate Agent with Albuquerque Homes Realty 16572

September 22, 2011 02:25 AM

Albuquerque gears up for 40th Annual Balloon Fiesta! Albuquerque NM is expecting around 600 balloons this year with 100 or more special shapes and 800,000 + people. You can't miss the fun the Annual Balloon Fiesta event offers!

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta will be held October 1st - 9th 2011. Enjoy the 360 acre Balloon Fiesta Park and don't forget to stop in for a delightful education at Albuquerque's Anderson - Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. Don't miss the Mass Ascensions where more than 600 balloons will inflate and launch from the Balloon Fiesta Field. Make sure to be at the field by 5:30 a.m. in order to not miss anything. Albuquerque mornings are chilly so dress in layers.

The Balloon Glows are a must see! This is where the balloons are tethered down and gassed up making the balloons glow after dark. Be sure to arrive at the Balloon Fiesta Park before sunset. The temperature in Albuquerque drops quickly after dark so make sure to bring a jacket.

The 2011 America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race will launch from the Balloon Fiesta Park on October 1st at 6:00 p.m.

Parking is available for $10 per car or take the easiest way in and out of the Balloon Park events by taking Albuquerque's Park and Ride Buses. There are several locations around Albuquerque. Call in advance to see where the nearest Park and Ride to you is located 1.888.422.7277. With 800,000 + people expected to attend this years Balloon Fiesta allow time to arrive on time and stay late. The Park and Ride service makes arrival and departures expeditious. RV parking is available call in advance for information.

Don't worry about being hungry there will tons of foods to fill any appetite. Enjoy live bands, fireworks, arts and crafts, contest and everything in between. Stay all day or come and go as you desire. Wear your walking shoes and enjoy Albuquerque’s 40th Annual Balloon Fiesta to the fullest. See you there!

If you’re considering the sale or purchase of an Albuquerque or Rio Rancho home it would be my pleasure to help you. I am easy to remember and just as easy to find.
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Don MacLean

New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA

Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

John, Definitely something to go on my list, it must be an amazing site to see.

Great back round video music also

Enjoy the day

Sep 22, 2011 02:32 AM

Toni Weidman

Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL

20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

I have always wanted to go to a balloon event. There is one each year down in the Sarasota area and I will make it one day.

Sep 22, 2011 02:46 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

John- I do want to attend one someday and you did a perfect job with the video! Great localism post.

Sep 22, 2011 03:31 AM

Belinda Spillman

Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO

Colorado Living!

Hi John, I love the pictures with all of the balloons in the sky. Just magnificient!!!! Great presentation. I really need to enter the world of video one of these days. Wish I was closer so I could attend. Have a great day.

Sep 22, 2011 03:45 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hi Don -

Indeed you must attend a Balloon Fiesta! It's an experience you'll never forget and won't regret. Thanks for the compliment on the video. I must admit it gave me a ton of grief last night. I'm still very much a green horn in this area and must attend an AR class on the process.

Make it a great day and regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 03:49 AM

Sheila Anderson

Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ

The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning John. I too always wanted to come to your home and see the balloons. One day, I will come. You make the whole thing even more appealing. Enjoy.

Sep 22, 2011 03:51 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good morning Toni -

Thanks for stopping by this morning. I do hope you make it to Sarasota's Balloon Fiesta. Memories you won't soon forget I promise!

Have a great day in the Rain!

Best regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 03:52 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hello Kathy -

Glad you stopped by in the Rain this morning. You won't regret going to a Balloon Fiesta! They're amazing and no matter the age it brings out the kid in all. I appreciate your compliment on the video. It's a learning curve for me. I'm in the Localism contest with only one more to go. It's been a very cool experience making me slow down and take note of all Albuquerque has to offer.

Hope you have an awesome day!

Regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 03:56 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hi Belinda -

Good to see you in the Rain this morning! You know maybe you guys should plan a vacation around Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta one year! It would make for a great fall get away. Plan ahead some book their room a year in advance it's such a huge event. Well worth the effort and fun for kids of all ages! Let me know if you head to Albuquerque.... Remember take a left at Albuquerque :)

Hope you have a productive day!

Best regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 04:01 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hi Sheila -

Great to see you this morning!

Well I certainly hope you make it to Albuquerque one of these days. Catching the Balloon Fiesta would be an event you would always remember and cherish. Balloons / Balloonist from all over the world attend and fly daily. It's a hands on event. We actually go on the field and help the balloonist in anyway we are asked to. The balloons are so beautiful and graceful as they drift across the blue Albuquerque sky.

Make it a great day in all you do and best regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 04:07 AM

Dick Greenberg

New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO

Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi John - That's one "Q" experience I have had, and it was awesome. We crewed for a local balloon one year and had a great time - it's amazing to see the sky so crowded with fantastic colors and shapes. Later, we took that balloon to Germany and flew it in Bavaria - a much rarer sight there, and more difficult - lots of permissions and paperwork necessary.

Sep 22, 2011 04:22 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hello John -

Wow... Sounds like you're quiet experienced in the hot air ballooning field. I can't imagine all the paper work and hoops you must have jumped through to fly in Bavaria! But what an experience I am envious admittedly. Indeed it amazing to watch the sky fill with such color and grace. Now if one is into people watching then you know there is no better place to enjoy this sport than at the balloon fiesta!

Thanks for stopping by today and best regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 05:47 AM

Erika Rogers

Red Rock Real Estate ~ Southern Utah's Largest Independent Brokerage - Saint George, UT

St George Utah Real Estate & Relocation Specialist

Hi John, hope you get a chance to visit the festival and share some great photos with us! I love balloons and all of the unique shapes they come in. I don't see many of them here in St George unfortunately, but there is a festival held yearly north of here in Panguitch UT I believe.

Sep 22, 2011 06:48 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hi Erika -

Yes we're planning on catching a Mass Ascension and the Balloon Glow. The pics in the video are of Balloon Feista's past we've attended. We are up early to watch as they drift by the house with only the ever so often sound of the burners gassing up. I hope you make it to Panguitch soon and catch a balloon fiesta there soon. Nothing cooler and great family fun!

Have an awesome day!

Regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 07:21 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

We will be watching for your photograph of the RE/MAX balloon.

Enjoy the final day of summer and have your camera in hand to capture the changing colors of the season.

Life is good! Wings of Fancy Exhibit

Brookside Gardens. Photograph by Roy Kelley. Canon PowerShot G11 Camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Sep 22, 2011 08:02 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hi Roy -

Actually I have several pics that include the Re/Max Balloon. I worked under the Re/Max umbrella for a few years before deciding to open my own brokerage. I'll have my camera in hand ready for good photo ops. One thing I've learned from you is never leave home without the camera and full battery. I hope you and Mrs. Dolores are enjoying a wonderful day.

Best regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 09:14 AM

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz

Las Vegas, NV

Hello John and this does sound like a great time, I have always wanted to view all these balloons at this event. It would be great to attend it some time and capture it on HD video and some still shots ...

VB ;o)

Sep 22, 2011 10:07 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hi Robert -

Thanks for dropping by this afternoon. Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta is one of a kind. The National Weather Channel normally covers it and has great footage of it. When we were taking pics in the past years we never dreamed we would be posting them or any video much less posting a You-Tube. This year I will make sure to have my good camera ready for stills and video. Live and learn.

Have a great afternoon and best regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 10:15 AM

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

I love these events and got to ride in one several times. It was amazingly peaceful and quiet. The balloons are so colorful - it's a whimsical sight when they're all floating in the sky. (You should do a video....:) )

Sep 22, 2011 10:16 AM

John McCormack, CRS

Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM

Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Hi Debb -

It's the plan this year as I was saying to Robert post # 17 when we shot these pics we never dreamed we'd be posting them any where much less making a You-Tube! OUCH.... Green here ya know this year we'll have the good camera ready for some video and hopefully good audio too.

Thanks for dropping by this afternoon~

Regards from the Q

Sep 22, 2011 10:24 AM

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