Well, it's balloon fiesta time again in New Mexico!
Yes, the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta wafts into Albuquerque this weekend, as it does every October. Visitors and residents are treated to morning mass ascensions of hundreds of colorful balloons, including many "special shapes," while evenings bring "balloon glows," fireworks, and even a "Special Shapes Glow-deo!" There are flying competitions, and even special events for gas balloons.
October 3-12 are the days set aside this year for the Balloon Fiesta. Each morning, hundreds of balloonists assemble at the 78-acre balloon fiesta park in the pre-dawn hours, and soon are filling ALbuquerque's azure skies with an astounding spectacle.
Check out this year's schedule, and come on out and experience the wonder!
| Friday, October 3 |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Albuquerque Aloft (at local elementary schools) |
Saturday, October 4 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show presented by Coleman Vision |
| 6:45am - 7:45am |
Opening Ceremonies |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Mass Ascension |
| 8:00am - 6:00pm |
ECHO Series Chainsaw Carving Championship |
| 2:00pm - 6:00pm |
52nd Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race Inflation |
| 2:00pm - 6:00pm |
America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race Inflation |
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm |
52nd Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race Launch |
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm |
America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race Launch presented by Matheson Tri-Gas |
| 6:00pm - 7:30pm |
Twilight Twinkle GlowTM |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm |
*AfterGlowTM Fireworks Show presented by Albuquerque Journal |
| 8:00pm - |
Josh Gracin |
Sunday, October 5 |
| 5:45am - 7:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show presented by Coleman Vision |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Mass Ascension |
| 8:00am - 4:00pm |
ECHO Series Chainsaw Carving Championship |
| 9:00am - 10:00am |
Fiesta of Wheels Car Show |
| 11:00am - 2:00pm |
Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Balloon Discovery Center) |
| 5:00pm - 6:00pm |
ECHO Chain Saw Carving Championship Awards & Charity Auction |
| 5:45pm - 7:30pm |
Balloon Glow |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm |
AfterGlowTM Fireworks Show presented by Albuquerque Journal |
Monday, October 6
WELLS FARGO BALLOON DISCOVERY CENTER DAY |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Flying Competition - Balloon Fiesta Hold'em presented by Sandia Resort & Casino |
Tuesday, October 7 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Flying Competition - Balloon Fiesta Hold'em presented by Sandia Resort and Casino |
Wednesday, October 8 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show presented by Coleman Vision |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension & Flying Competition presented by Continental Airlines |
Thursday, October 9 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Wells Fargo Special Shape RodeoTM |
| 8:00am - 9:00am |
Flying Competition & Prize Grab |
| 4:00pm - 6:00pm |
Chainsaw Wood Carving Contest north end of launch field |
| 5:45pm - 7:30pm |
Wells Fargo Special Shape GlowdeoTM |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm |
*AfterGlowTM Fireworks Show presented by Albuquerque Journal |
| 8:00pm - |
The Coasters |
Friday, October 10 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Wells Fargo Special Shape RodeoTM |
| 8:00am - 9:00am |
Honda Key Grab Competition presented by American Honda Motor Company |
| 8:00am - 6:00pm |
Chainsaw Wood Carving Contest north end of launch field |
| 5:45pm - 7:30pm |
Wells Fargo Special Shape GlowdeoTM |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm |
*AfterGlowTM Fireworks Show presented by Albuquerque Journal |
Saturday, October 11 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show presented by Coleman Vision |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Mass Ascension |
| 8:00am - 6:00pm |
Chainsaw Wood Carving Contest north end of launch field |
| 5:45pm - 7:30pm |
Night MagicTM Glow |
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm |
Chainsaw Carvers Auction north end of launch field |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm |
*AfterGlowTM Fireworks Show presented by Albuquerque Journal |
Sunday, October 12
PROPANE DAY presented by Airgas Southwest, Inc |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show presented by Coleman Vision |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Farewell Mass Ascension |
Still not convinced? Check out a virtual tour of the Balloon Fiesta, or view live "Balloon Cams" at Balloon Fiesta Park, and then decide!
;)
;)
Laura- The fiesta has been as exciting as always, except when it rains - how strange that it should, but it does amd we cam't be upset because the rain is as precious as the festivities. I am sorry this evening, not because no balloons could fly today, but because of yesterday's tragic ending in Bernalillo to one of the flights that I had just seen take off from the park. it is fitting that the balloons should stay on the ground today. It is as if the elements agreed on that.