Travelbeat Editorial Review Hot Air Balloon Fiesta! Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Story and photos by Kerry Hennigan There are few sports that can produce a spectacle as awesome as a mass ascension of hot air balloons. It's a sight never to be forgotten. Around the world there are regular hot air balloon gatherings - one of the most famous being the annual International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Balloonists from all over the United States, and from overseas, bring their craft to this event, which takes place each October in the city's 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park. Throughout the 9-day festival a daily program of events takes place, with competitions for the balloonists and glorious spectacles for those who remain earthbound. The only problem with watching an event like this is you'll probably end up suffering from a stiff neck! Before sun-up on most mornings of the Fiesta, the balloonists prepare for the Dawn Patrol lift-off. Visitors can wander amongst the balloons, watching them being inflated (right), glowing and lifting off the damp ground in the pre-dawn gloom. Along the edges of the field there are stalls of balloon-related merchandise, and for those who have come unprepared for the early morning chill of the crisp New Mexican air, jackets and fleecy pullovers are a popular buy. The Fiesta began in 1972 with a small gathering of 13 balloons, and has grown over the years to include as many as 1,019 entries, causing the operators to set the limit at a more manageable 750. That's still a whole lot of balloons! One of the most popular events is the Special Shapes Rodeo, featuring novelty balloons resembling everything from Mickey Mouse to castles, running shoes, houses, elephants, soft drink cans, wine bottles and so on. Many of these novelty balloons are designed to promote a sponsor's product. It sure beats watching ads on television! Everything depends on the weather conditions, of course, to ensure safe ballooning. Albuquerque's usually clear, dry air at an altitude of 1600 metres above sea level makes it an excellent location for the sport. Beyond the ballooning, there is plenty to recommend the city to the visitor - scenery, shopping and history galore. With accommodation near the Fiesta site likely to be scarce, the charms of Old Town make a wonderful base for any visit to the largest city in New Mexico. Nearby are the Albuquerque Museum and New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. The city's oldest existing building, the adobe church of San Felipe de Neri (1793) fronts the Old Town Plaza (at left) - characteristic of so many towns and villages in the state. Restaurants and shops line each side of the shady plaza and the streets radiating off it. When not watching the balloons, there's nothing quite as satisfying as tucking into New Mexican cuisine, finished off with freshly made sopaipillas with ice cream for dessert. Like so much about New Mexico, it's simply mouth-watering! For more information on the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta visit: www.balloonfiesta.com For Albuquerque visitor information visit the official website of the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.itsatrip.org Back to Front Page