What had 664 hot air balloons from 47 states and 18 countries, 901,000 spectators, at least 10 different kinds of breakfast burritos, and used 80,000 gallons of liquid propane over nine days and nights? The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Ask people about an event — any event — and you’ll always hear some negative feedback. Ask people about the Balloon Fiesta and you’ll hear universally positive feedback.
“It’s such a good event — it’s totally worth getting up at 4 a.m. several days in a row,” said Harmony Boudreaux, whose husband is a Launch Official while she and their sons are volunteer balloon crew members.
Even by air show standards, it’s an early morning. Doors open at 4:30 a.m. and the morning kicks off with a 15-minute drone show at 5:45 a.m. Hot air balloons start launching after that with sunrise around 6:20 a.m. and it’s pretty much non-stop action until about 9 a.m., with things winding down by 10 a.m.
No radial engine noises, no propellers, just the small-engine inflation fans and the large “whoosh” of the balloon burners — plus lots of cheering and clapping as balloons stand up and then launch.
Most spectators arrive before dawn and it’s exciting to wander around the launch field watching and listening to the crews start getting set up. Launch officials, known as “Zebras” for their referee-like garb, circulate to wrangle crowds and coordinate departures.
It’s easy for spectators to get close up to the balloons as they’re inflating and the event is one of the best photo opportunities of the year whatever equipment you have.
Aside from the traditional hot air balloons, this year offered more than 100 special shapes ranging from Smokey Bear to Darth Vader to a Barnful of Animals to many colorful birds. Grandest of all may have been “Sir Mix-A-Lot,” the immense special shape balloon from sponsor Duke City Redi Mix concrete. According to the announcer, that balloon is big enough to hold more than double the company’s 30 cement trucks.
Several evenings also have activities, with the dusk into night Glodeo featuring many traditional and special shape balloons tethered to the ground but well-illuminated by their burners.
There’s music and other entertainment on stage once the sun rises and a nice demographically targeted sound track familiar to the Classic Rock generation.
During Fiesta hours, many vendors along “Main Street” sell coffee, food, and especially breakfast burritos, which were reportedly refined during 1990s Balloon Fiestas. Plenty of opportunities for taste-testing! There are all kinds of souvenir and other vendors, many promoting New Mexico.
The Fiesta also provides several photo op set-ups, including a full-size picture frame and oversize figurines to pose with. They even provide someone to take your selfie photo for you.
Overall, the event features tremendous teamwork and coordination with more than 1,000 volunteers (not including balloon crew) who emphasize the cooperative feel. They’re all known as Navigators and cover more than 40 different roles ranging from safety, setup, logistics, parking, guest services, balloon coordination, and more.
“From pilots and crews to guests on the field, this year’s Balloon Fiesta was an incredible success,” said Neil Jackson, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Board President.
“Ballooning is not at all a sport you can do by yourself,” explained balloon launch crew member Aaron S. He cited the need for multiple crew members to help with inflation, stand up, launch, and retrieval.
Many crew members are volunteers and many brought the whole family, so there’s a large range of enthusiastic helpers on the launch field. Even the teenagers seem happy to be awake before dawn.
The Fiesta contributes more than $210 million annually to the Albuquerque economy, so it is well-supported by the community.
Pinnacle Propane is a major sponsor and supplied approximately 88,000 gallons of propane for the hot air balloons and cooking and hospitality tents, according to Marketing Manager Jacques Bouchard, noting that is more than 20,000 home gas grill tanks.
“The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is such a unique event, and we’re proud to be part of the team that helps bring it to life,” he said. “When people look up and see hundreds of colorful balloons filling the sky, they may not immediately think about the amount of work happening behind the scenes. Our team takes a lot of pride in helping make those moments possible, and it’s something we look forward to every year.”
There are many opportunities to purchase hot air balloon rides from all shapes and sizes of balloons. Organizers require all pilots to have their Commercial Lighter Than Air (LTA) Certificate.
For general aviation enthusiasts, the Balloon Fiesta is a remarkable, well-organized, friendly event great for the whole family — as long as you’re willing to get up early. Next year’s dates are Oct. 2-10, 2027, with hotels already filling fast.
For more information: BalloonFiesta.com
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