Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Lifts Off!
by ANN Contributor Glen Moyer
For the next ten days the sky over
Albuquerque, New Mexico will be painted with every color of the
rainbow as some 750 hot air balloons, their pilots and crews,
celebrate the 33rd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. In
addition to the ballooning participants, almost 1-million
spectators are expected to see some or all of the various flying
events, and there is variety for all. Here's a brief synopsis of
what the week has in store:
Balloons Over Albuquerque - a select group of
pilots visit and launch their balloons from elementary schools
throughout the city. This is the only event that does not originate
at Fiesta Park.
Fiesta Challenge - a two-day competition for a
select 100 pilots. These pilots participate in two "Road
Runner-Coyote" flying events on Friday and Saturday afternoons with
a prize purse of $30,000. A "Roadrunner-Coyote" race involves a 1st
balloon - the roadrunner - launching as the target while the others
- coyotes - give chase in an attempt to "catch" the target balloon
at its landing site.
Mass Ascensions - the entire 750 balloons
launch from Fiesta Park on the opening and closing Saturday and
Sunday mornings.
Balloon Glow - a twilight illumination of as
many as 300 balloons. These are held on the first Sunday evening
and the second Saturday evening.
Championship Competition - the 750 pilots
participate in a variety of target based flying competitions toward
determining the overall event champion. These events are scheduled
Monday through Friday. Friday's competition is always a highlight
as that is Key Grab Day. Pilots fly into the field attempting to
grab a set of keys to a new car or truck from atop a flagpole
erected on the field.
Special Shapes Rodeo - It's a bird, it's a
plane, it's a cow jumping over the moon, a blue octopus, a duck, a
football, a panda bear, and more. A mass ascension of special shape
balloons highlights Thursday and Friday mornings while the evenings
feature only the shapes in their own special balloon glows.
Dawn Patrol Show - planned for both weekends
and Wednesday morning, a small group of pilots choreograph their
inflation and launch in the pre-dawn darkness then fly on till
sunrise giving early risers a sparkling light show in the sky.
Flight of the Nations - what would an
international fiesta be without a tribute to the balloonists from
around the world who visit the Land of Enchantment each year. This
mid-week (Wednesday morning) tribute has one balloon from each of
the visiting nations taking to the sky before all others.
This and more will make up the 33rd Albuquerque International
Balloon Fiesta. All of the major balloon manufacturers are on hand
to demo new products, and there are vendors of everything
imaginable both in food (like the original breakfast burrito, fried
Twinkies and green chili stew) and merchandise. They don't call it
The Big One for nothing!