Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – The Ultimate Eye Candy

Albuquerque is fine little New Mexican city that offers heaps of southwest and Hispanic culture and flavor. When you add the world's largest annual hot air balloon rally to the mix, it's an absolutely awesome place. We had the opportunity to attend the 49th Annual Balloon Fiesta a couple of weeks ago. It should have been its 50th year, but Covid-19 got in the way and last year's fiesta was canceled. We are fortunate that our niece, Gentry, and her family live in Albuquerque and offered us not only some premium family time, but a place to stay for the duration our visit.

The whole park is dedicated to the Annual Balloon Fiesta… 2021 was its 49th year.

We rose each morning at 0300 and departed no later than 0400 in order to avoid the worst of the traffic. The queues to enter the parking lot are long and slow. Park and ride options are available, but having the car allowed us a bit more freedom to come and go. Activities begin just after 0500, and the dark balloon park buzzes with anticipation... a convivial carnival atmosphere.

But enough verbal description... a picture is worth a thousand words. Though there's nothing like actually being there and experiencing the spectacular scene firsthand, these photos hopefully capture the grandeur and eye-popping spectacle of this annual event.

By 0530, Dawn Patrol balloons have begun to inflate and glow and by 0600 they're ready to take off. Dawn Patrol consists of about eight balloons that ascend into an inky black, pre-dawn sky to check out the weather. It's a sensible drill providing other balloonists with wind speed and wind direction at different altitudes.

We onlookers have the benefit of a gorgeous display as they inflate with the balloons aglow from their burners and slowly lift into the night sky. Dawn Patrol balloons stay aloft until it's light enough to see landing sites. Down below we wait and hope for the green flag to be hoisted signaling a 'go'. A yellow flag means 'on hold' and red is... bah... canceled flights.

Once dawn breaks and the green flag is hoisted, More and more balloons inflate and then…

The sky becomes filled with balloons. it’s almost too much to take in. Your neck gets sore from looking up, but you ignore the pain because you just can't stop looking.

The inside of Whirlaway as the balloon begins to inflate. What a view!

David climbs aboard Whirlaway for a free hot air balloon ride with commercial pilot, Jim Lynch. What an awesome opportunity.

Two more passengers boarded Whirlaway and with four aboard, it became a bit crowded. It didn’t dampen any spirits though.

And they’re up and off. Bye, Honey!

Up, up and away!

Marcie was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the chase crew. Along with three other folks, we piled into a pickup truck and sped off. The pilot and the ground crew were in close radio contact and we watched the balloon carefully as it drifted across the sky. It was easy to spot Whirlaway with its colorful pennants fluttering in the wind. The winds were such that they didn’t fly for very long, nor very far away. They ended up landing in a field near one of the fiesta park parking lots. We scrambled out of the truck and ran to secure the basket as it landed. Several other onlookers were on hand to help as well.

David and Neige hopped out of the basket and, along with other ground crew, maneuvered the balloon while it still hovered off the ground to a safe place to deflate and restow.

With everyone out of the basket, Jim opened the top vent of the balloon, letting the air out. The crew guided the balloon safely to the ground.

The crew works hard to fold the balloon and and stuff it into its bag.

After the balloon was stowed and the basket loaded back into the pickup, everyone was invited to sign the rally banner and then celebrated with a sip of champagne.

The evening was capped out with an outstanding sunset and an evening ‘burn’. Wow!

There’s so much more to share. Check back next time as David talks about the economics of hot air ballooning and I’ll share more ‘special shapes’ balloons… a crowd favorite.