The cool dark morning held promise as we walked onto the grounds, surging forward eagerly. Excitement rippled through the crowds despite the ridiculously early hour; we had executed an intricate plan to ensure we wouldn’t miss a moment of spectacle. Like a hopeful pilgrimage, we shuffled onto the field to take in the sights of vendors, balloon-themed booths, and local foods to be sampled. Arriving well before 5 a.m. and having successfully negotiated heavy traffic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we were ready for the morning to unfold, much like the giant balloons we came to see.
This is Balloon Fiesta, a bucket list item for those captivated by the magical and dreamy sight of hot air balloons drifting through the sky. I have been enchanted by hot air balloons since first seeing one from my lawn as a small child. Attending a large gathering of hot air balloons became part of my ‘bucket list’ from the time I found out what the phrase meant.
It was thrilling to be amongst the group of visitors to the opening morning this year on October 7th. In its 51st year, this special celebration draws balloons and visitors from all over the world to enjoy the festivities. For those of us bundled up onsite, we had achieved the goal of being in place before the first balloons grew to size and rose into the sky.
Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta makes for a beautiful time in October, and the event hugely impacts the area’s economy. Last year, there were 828,000 attendees at the Balloon Fiesta. The total economic benefit to the area was over 203 million dollars. While weather conditions greatly impeded the event last year, this year’s opening weekend was a huge success.
As the crowds meandered onto the field to choose their spots, the crews were getting everything ready. The Dawn Patrol balloons are set up first in a row. These balloons go up first, to check the weather conditions above. Once they confirm all is optimal, the signal is given for Mass Ascension where the other balloons follow in phases.
The sun came up and the temperature dropped slightly as the light crept across the colorful landscape. Mass Ascension was an incredible sight to behold as hundreds of balloons filled the air. This dramatic spectacle had viewers chattering and taking pictures constantly as balloons came to life and lifted off from all over the field.
In multiple directions including above, there was so much to take in. In front of us were the Rainbow Ryders balloons out of Albuquerque. They have multiple balloons with larger-sized baskets that accommodate wheelchairs. These went up early on during Mass Ascension with eager passengers floating upward to fulfill their special wish.
Other exceptional and fun shapes filled the sky as spectators pointed and exclaimed at each new delight. There was Master Yoda, a balloon from Belgium, growing in size next to Darth Vader, a balloon from Ohio. These two took off one after another into the bright chilly morning air. Several animal head-shaped balloons were up and away, including a panther, koala, baboon, and tiger to name a few. Baby T-Rex out of Utah, a dinosaur hatching from its egg went up, as well as a balloon shaped as an embracing bear and elephant. Smokey the Bear from NM, a Volkswagen bus, a sloth, and a moon were also among those balloons flying on the first morning. There were so many beautiful balloons in the usual shape, too, adding to the thrilling aerial scene.
The weekend was a magical time and exceeded expectations at every turn. If you haven’t already, I would add this to your bucket list. There are many ways to enhance your experience during the event, including taking a ride yourself to see Albuquerque from above. You can customize your visit in various ways, but it’s recommended to plan at least a few days. This allows the best chance to be sure you won’t miss out if the weather is uncooperative and gives you the opportunity to soak up all the fantastic fun to be had.
Jessica Sheehan is a columnist, bestselling author, and a freelance writer with bylines in everything from Top Talent Magazine to USA Today. She is a ghostwriter, and managing editor of bestselling books for Top Talent Publishing and for indie authors around the world.