I am so excited that October is coming again because one of my favorite events is coming October 6 – 15, 2006. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!
Every year in October hundreds of hot air and propane balloonists from around the world come to meet up, have fun, and have a little friendly competition. The rest of us come to watch the beautiful spectacles of flight that are these balloons.
It is even possible to get rides on these majestic beauties. You can make arrangements and pay for the ride, or you can sign up as a member of a chase crew that provides you a free ride. The catch is that you ride in the back of a pickup a lot of times bouncing in and out of arroyos, canyons and the desert landscape and assist in holding down the balloon when it lands. The other catch is that these flights start very early in the morning and the crew has to be at the takeoff spot before sunrise.
It is all great fun and you meet some fun people. Balloonists seem to be very party hearty people!
The Fiesta also has a carnival like atmosphere where food, gifts, t-shirts balloonist’s memorabilia, etc is available. Every night there is musical entertainment as well.
One of the events to catch are the days with a mass ascension where you will see hundreds of balloons of all sorts of colors, themes, and styles take off in the early morning sky. Talk about a photo op!
Balloon Glow is another activity where in the evening the balloonists light their fuel tanks and the balloons glow with color.
There is a gas balloon race that starts at the Fiesta and goes across the county you can watch takeoff.
The competitions between the balloonists are also fun to take in. You will see them compete on accuracy of flying and compete for some great prizes.
Fireworks is also a part of the festivities.
If you want to have a group come down to the park and have a place for them or just keep informed on the fiesta you can become a member of the Gondola Club and get special treatment and information. See the site for this ww.balloonfiesta.com/Gondola_Club/i_gondolaclub.php
Here is the 2006 Balloon Fiesta Schedule:
2006 Balloon Fiesta Schedule
| Friday, October 6 |
| 7:00am - 10:00am |
Albuquerque Aloft |
| 5:00pm - 7:00pm |
Fiesta Challenge Competition Flight |
Saturday, October 7 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show |
| 6:45am - 7:00am |
Opening Ceremonies |
| 7:00am - 8:30am |
Mass Ascension |
| 12:30pm - 7:00pm |
Fiesta del Vino - Wine Tasting |
| 2:00pm - 5:00pm |
America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race - Inflation begins |
| 5:00pm - 7:00pm |
Fiesta Challenge Competition Flight |
| 6:00pm - 7:15pm |
America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race |
Sunday, October 8 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show |
| 7:00am - 8:30am |
Mass Ascension |
| 9:00am - 10:00am |
Car Display of Classic and Special Interest Vehicles |
| 5:45pm - 8:00pm |
Balloon Glow® |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm |
AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show |
Monday, October 9 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Flying Events |
Tuesday, October 10 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol |
| 7:00am - 11:45am |
Flying Events |
Wednesday, October 11 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show |
| 7:00am - 10:00am |
Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension |
Thursday, October 12 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Wells Fargo Special Shape Mass Ascension |
| 8:00am - 10:00am |
Flying Events |
| 5:45pm - 8:00pm |
Wells Fargo Special Shape Glowdeo™ |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm |
AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show |
Friday, October 13 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol |
| 7:00am - 8:00am |
Wells Fargo Special Shape Mass Ascension |
| 8:00am - 10:00am |
Pole Grab Competition |
| 5:45pm - 8:00pm |
Wells Fargo Special Shape Glowdeo™ |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm |
AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show |
Saturday, October 14 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show |
| 7:00am - 8:30am |
Mass Ascension |
| 5:45pm - 8:00pm |
Night Magic ™ Show |
| 8:00pm - 9:00pm |
AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show |
Sunday, October 15 |
| 5:45am - 6:45am |
Dawn Patrol Show |
| 5:45am - 9:30am |
Propane Day |
| 7:00am - 8:30am |
Farewell Mass Ascension |
For more information, history and articles about this great event check out the official website for the fiesta:
www.aibf.org
I hope you can check out this unique event this year or another and remember to book your lodging early.
Here are a few Hotels and Motels that are real close to the Balloon Park and allow great viewing right from your room.
Bernalillo Days Inn
Howard Johnson Express Inn
Albuquerque North Drury Inn
Eileen Richardson
