The Albuquerque International Balloon fiesta has amassed facts, figures, and history since 13 hot air balloons launched from a shopping center parking lot in Albuquerque in 1972. The 2017 Balloon fiesta takes place October. 7 through October. 15, and 700 hot air balloons can take to the air from Balloon fiesta Park.
The winds and currents in Albuquerque make for perfect hot air flying conditions, and also the weather in early Oct provides beautiful sunny days and cool mornings, also excellent for obtaining a balloon off the ground.
Colorful hot air balloons against New Mexico’s bright blue skies are a sight ne’er to be forgotten.
Balloon fiesta History
- The first balloon event in Albuquerque took place on April 8, 1972, at Coronado shopping center. 13 balloons participated. the first event was a promotion for KOB-AM radio.
- From 1972 to 1975, balloon events took place in late winter/early spring.
- The first event to be known as the “Balloon Fiesta” took place within the fall of 1975.
- The first Balloon Glow took place on Christmas Eve, 1979, when local pilots wanted to thank New Mexicans for their support of ballooning.
- Gas balloons were a part of events until 1981 and went on hiatus until 1993 when the Gordon bennett race was brought to the fiesta. the world Championship started in 1994, and also the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race began in 1995.
- The first Special Shapes Glowdeo began with simply twenty eight special-shaped balloons.
- The first Dawn Patrol launched at the 1978 Balloon fiesta. The Dawn Patrol was created when 2 balloonists developed position lighting systems that enabled night flight to take place. These pilots take off within the dark, about 6 a.m., and stay within the air until it’s light enough to see where to land.
Balloon fiesta Facts
The Albuquerque Balloon fiesta is that the world’s most prestigious international ballooning event. It happens in Albuquerque as a result of town has some nice flying necessities. Early Oct in city brings cool morning and evening temperatures, just right for a balloon launch.
The city also has a phenomenon known as the “Albuquerque Box,” a combination of weather patterns and geography that results in balloonists having great control over their balloons. All in all, Albuquerque is a great place to launch a balloon–or hundreds of balloons.
- Mass ascension is one of the foremost wondrous events of the Balloon fiesta. All participating balloons launch in 2 waves, starting at about 7 a.m. The lead balloon takes off flying the American flag because the “Star-Spangled Banner” plays. The launch of hundreds of balloons takes about 2 hours.
- In 2011, the Balloon fiesta made a Guinness world record for the greatest Mass Hot Air Balloon Ascent, for the foremost balloons launched within the shortest amount of time.
- Balloon fiesta could not take place without the hundreds of volunteers who help every year. Volunteers take tickets, judge events, and participate in chase crews. over 1,000 volunteers facilitate make the event happen.
- Albuquerque International Balloon fiesta inc., a non-profit, runs the fiesta.
- Because the event has a superb safety record, the Balloon fiesta is one of the only balloon events where viewers can walk among the balloons and talk to the pilots.
- Balloon fiesta Park covers 365 acres with a 78-acre launch field.
- Balloon fiesta mass ascensions include 500 balloons–or more.
- The Balloon fiesta is that the largest ballooning event within the world.
- The Albuquerque International Balloon fiesta is that the largest annual international event held within the u. s..
- The Balloon fiesta attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year. Nearly 840,000 attended in 2016.
Distance to Balloon fiesta From selected Cities
Albuquerque is an easy drive from a number of nearby cities.
- Amarillo, Texas: 288 miles
- Colorado Springs, Colorado: 378 miles
- Dallas/Fort Worth: 644 miles
- Denver: 437 miles
- El Paso, Texas: 266 miles
- Las Cruces, New Mexico: 223 miles
- Las Vegas, Nevada: 586 miles
- Los Angeles: 811 miles
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 543 miles
- Phoenix: 458 miles
- Salt Lake City, Utah: 604 miles
- Tucson, Arizona: 448 miles
A Bit about Albuquerque
Albuquerque is that the largest city in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, with about a half million residents in incorporated Albuquerque and just under 1 million within the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Albuquerque is one of the highest cities within the u. s., with elevations varying from 4,900 to 6,700 feet within the city. city is about 65 miles from Santa Fe.2017 Daily Event Schedule
To download a PDF of the 2017 Event Schedule click here
*AfterGlow™ times may change due to field/weather conditions
** North end of Launch Field for the pin trading
