Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque
Search:

Albuquerque Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque

Balloons before ascension - Albuquerque
Balloons before ascension
by queencreekfreak
Balloon Fiesta tips and photos posted by real travelers and Albuquerque locals.
• 48 Photos
• 33 Reviews

See all Albuquerque Things To Do
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Balloon Fiesta: International Balloon Fiesta
  • Tip Rating:
  • kymbanm
  • By kymbanm on June 2, 2004
  • Albuquerque Page by kymbanm
  • Hot Air Balloons-ABQ - Albuquerque
    Hot Air Balloons-ABQ
    by kymbanm
    The first 2 weekends in October, includes the week in between - some years we have over a thousand balloons up in the air at once ..... a beautiful site to see (and photograph!) By getting there early, and signing up in the crew tent/hut - you can help an out of town balloonist set up, fly, and take down their balloon. You can usually get a free flight out of it too! But to do that, you should agree to help them for a few days :) There are beautiful native american ruins, pueblos, nearby hotsprings, and Santa Fe is only an hour away. This is definitely a must see/ must do time to visit.....

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: http://www.aibf.org/
  • Directions: Directions and other info on the website ...
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Albuquerque?

    Read reviews about Albuquerque Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Balloon Fiesta: The Balloon Fiesta
  • Tip Rating:
  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on October 15, 2007
  • Albuquerque Page by VeronicaG
  • The Balloon Fiesta - Albuquerque
    The Balloon Fiesta
    by VeronicaG
    The Balloon Fiesta began each day at 5:45 am with the Dawn Patrol. The pilots participating in this event take off in the dark using position lightning systems. They maintain their height until first light, which allows them to safely descend.

    We arrived at 6:15 am on Saturday morning...early enough to enjoy a delicious cinnamon roll and hot chocolate before the Mass Ascension at 7 am. The balloons ascend at this early hour because the wind shifts around 9am each day, making it a difficult flight.

    I believe there were about 750-800 balloonists this year. The procedure is to launch them in three separate waves. Less than half of the balloons participating in the fiesta ascended on Saturday morning because the wind was predicted to pick up.

  • Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Website: http://aibf.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Balloon Fiesta: To Rise Above The Rest
  • Tip Rating:
  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on October 19, 2007
  • Albuquerque Page by VeronicaG
  • Filling the Balloon - Albuquerque
    Filling the Balloon
    by VeronicaG, 1 more photos
    Hot air balloons are filled by using a propane-fired burner (picture #2). The tanks lie at the bottom or sides of the basket and the pilot can control the flow with levers.

    I learned that balloons can't be steered left or right, but can only go up or down. The wind decides which direction one goes, so its important to know exactly which way you'll be headed--you don't want to drift into the Sandia mountains or into the Rio Grande river.

    To rise, the pilot adds more hot air, to descend one releases the hot air...slowly. When in flight, the balloon below has the right of way.

    During the festival visitors could sign up for hot air balloon rides. The cost was $150.00 per a half hour and $300 for an hour. We didn't schedule a flight, but many people did!

  • Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Website: http://aibf.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Balloon Fiesta: The Balloon Glow
  • Tip Rating:
  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on October 19, 2007
  • Albuquerque Page by VeronicaG
  • Balloon Glow at the Park - Albuquerque
    Balloon Glow at the Park
    by VeronicaG, 1 more photos
    Although the GLOWDEO, featuring the 'special shaped balloons', had been cancelled the night before, we had the opportunity to glimpse a Balloon Glow as we dragged into Fiesta Park early Saturday morning.

    The gentle glow of the balloons pierced the darkness dramatically. It was magnificent! As people straggled into the field, you could hear the surprised "ahs!" as they were startled by the beauty of this scene.

    I was very happy that we didn't miss seeing and experiencing this highlight of the fiesta!

  • Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Website: http://aibf.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Balloon Fiesta: Four-Legged Patrols
  • Tip Rating:
  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on October 16, 2007
  • Albuquerque Page by VeronicaG
  • Patrolling the Fiesta - Albuquerque
    Patrolling the Fiesta
    by VeronicaG
    As we were walking to the North end of the field to view the morning ascension, we came across these policemen on handsome mounts. They made a very appealing picture!

    We wanted to plant ourselves at that point on the grounds, because the balloons were going to drift to the North/Northwest--and what a spectacle!

    Although many balloons were launched seconds after each other, the majority drifted North, but a few headed West. As we watched the television Sunday morning, it was reported that someone's balloon landed on the roof of a house.

    Residents welcome the balloonists by displaying a white sheet--this signals they can land in that particular yard.

  • Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Website: http://aibf.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Albuquerque?

    Read reviews about Albuquerque Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Balloon Fiesta: High in the Sky
  • Tip Rating:
  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on October 19, 2007
  • Albuquerque Page by VeronicaG
  • Photo courtesy of Larry Neely - Albuquerque
    Photo courtesy of Larry Neely
    by VeronicaG
    Categorized as a 'special shaped balloon',Cent'r Stage was truly a masterpiece. This huge creation captured the attention of kids and adults both. Who didn't imagine sitting atop this stage coach for the ultimate ride?

    The organizing that goes into this event seems like it would be staggering! Although we inched our way to the grounds, the traffic flowed fairly well. There was a vast amount of parking and school buses were used as shuttles.

    Those staffing the booths were given special visor cards so that they were able to access parking lots closer to the activities. We were fortunate to be traveling with a couple who was helping with the event, so were able to use nearby parking. Otherwise, we would have had a good walk to the grounds.

    Cent'r Stage is a Wells Fargo balloon--sponsor of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta this year.

  • Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Website: http://aibf.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Balloon Fiesta: Visit the Souvenir Stands
  • Tip Rating:
  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on October 16, 2007
  • Albuquerque Page by VeronicaG
  • The Concession Strip - Albuquerque
    The Concession Strip
    by VeronicaG
    There were two large tents at either end of the concession strip that sold all types of souvenirs from the Balloon Fiesta. We found commemorative pins, posters, gorgeous calendars, a beautifully illustrated guidebook and many other balloon-inspired items.

    Food booths seemed to multiply from one visit to another and there was no excuse for anyone's stomach rumbling because there was an abundance of edibles! Funnel cakes, breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, turkey legs and much more. Getting up early was less a chore because we could grab a quick breakfast here.

  • Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Website: http://aibf.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Balloon Fiesta: Meet a Fellow VTer
  • Tip Rating:
  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on October 16, 2007
  • Albuquerque Page by VeronicaG
  • Kymbanm and VeronicaG - Albuquerque
    Kymbanm and VeronicaG
    by VeronicaG
    I had written to Kymbanm (Albuquerque) that we were planning to attend the balloon fiesta this year. After contacting her, my computer crashed and I was offline for 4 weeks. ERRRGH! During this time, Kym left this comment on my homepage, "So, do you think we're finally going to meet?"

    Several weeks later I found the message and answered, but it seemed we would be there on different days. However, once we flew to New Mexico, our group decided to spend Friday evening at the balloon fest, as well.

    I was so excited to meet my second VTer! Kym had given me directions to the First Aid building where she was part of the crew and we had no problem finding the location. Unfortunately, our visit was brief because she was working and my husband and I had to relocate our friends in the huge crowd...but we did take pictures!

    So glad to have finally met you, Kym!

  • Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Website: http://aibf.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Balloon Fiesta: Other Amusements
  • Tip Rating:
  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on October 18, 2007
  • Albuquerque Page by VeronicaG
  • A Trickster! - Albuquerque
    A Trickster!
    by VeronicaG, 2 more photos
    Aside from the main attraction, there were other amusements at the park. A trickster did magic or sleight of hand tricks for the crowd.

    A chainsaw carving contest was held on Saturday morning. The participants were given 90 minutes to carve something ingenious out of wood. I'm not sure about the prize offered, but this bigger than life inflatable chainsaw directed contestants to the proving ground (picture #2)!

    A designated ride area appealed to the children at the fiesta. A giant inflatable 'TITANIC' set apart their special place (picture #3). As we strolled by, a girl was being spun in some sort of hoop...I got dizzy just watching her turn head over heel.

  • Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Website: http://aibf.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Balloon Fiesta: Moo-o-o! Here's Another Favorite
  • Tip Rating:
  • VeronicaG
  • Updated By VeronicaG on October 18, 2007
  • Albuquerque Page by VeronicaG
  • picture courtesy of Larry Neely - Albuquerque
    picture courtesy of Larry
    Neely
    by VeronicaG
    This is Airabelle, the Creamland Cow balloon and another of my favorites. It was huge! We watched it being prepared for flight, which was just amazing! She's 110 feet of charisma.

    Last year, this bovine-shaped balloon descended to the street below the home of friends who live near the Sandia Crest. It was a thrilling occasion for them!

    Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta Park actually sits near the feet of the Sandia Mountains. As the sun sets, it casts a rosy glow on the mountains which have been named for the Spanish word meaning "watermelon". This was a curious effect and very dramatic!

  • Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Website: http://aibf.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More Albuquerque Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 77 - Photos: 53
    Things To Do
    Tips: 230 - Photos: 293
    Nightlife
    Tips: 22 - Photos: 16
    Transportation
    Tips: 30 - Photos: 19
    Restaurants
    Tips: 150 - Photos: 196
    Shopping
    Tips: 23 - Photos: 22
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 74 - Photos: 93
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 2
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 28 - Photos: 11
    Local Customs
    Tips: 33 - Photos: 41
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 5 - Photos: 1
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 19
    General Tips
    Tips: 53 - Photos: 43
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0

    Best Albuquerque Travel Deals

    Hotel Andaluz Albuquerque
    Enjoy the History of Albuquerque At The Hotel Andaluz, Book Online!

    Hyatt Albuquerque
    Reserve Now & Save up to 30% on Your Stay at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

    Holiday Inn Official Site
    Albuquerque hotel accommodations. Free Internet in Every Room.

    Albuquerque Hotels Sale
    Exclusive Albuquerque Hotel Deals. CheapOstayŽ Guarantees Low Rates!

    albuquerque cheap hotels
    Culturally Distinct Boutique Hotel With Dining, Pool & Fitness Center

    Sponsored Links

    More Albuquerque Travel Deals

    Hotels Cheap
    Save up to 50% on Hotels and Now Get Our Best Price Guarantee.

    From $179.99 Weekly
    Furnished Efficiencies No Lease - No Credit Check

    Airlines
    United offers flights to 5 cities Nonstop to & from Albuquerque

    Sponsored Links


    Albuquerque Hotels





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.