Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Growing up in Idaho there was an event called The Boise River Festival. It was held each June and besides the music concerts offered in the park there was also a morning hot air balloon launch. As a kid, and into my later years, we would wake up really early and drive to Boise to see the balloon launch. If you have never seen a hot air balloon before it floats up into the air, you are missing out. It is a really fun experience to see the balloon being rolled out of its bag, the many helpers spread it out, and the large size fan that starts the process of inflating the balloon. It was my favorite thing to do each year.

Sadly, the Boise River Festival was discontinued due to funding. Over the last few years a set of organizers have put together a new event called The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic. It is a small-scale River Festival type event that is just hot air balloons. It is still exciting as an adult to see the balloons inflate and take flight as you wave to the pilot above.

Planning our trip to New Mexico in the month of October meant we could partake in the 43^rd Annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Kenyon and I attended the Balloon Fiesta three years ago and I have been eager to return. While the Boise River Festival and the Balloon Classic are impressive the Balloon Fiesta is epic! There are hundreds upon hundreds of hot air balloons. It is just amazing.

After having much success three years ago using the park and ride option and the provided shuttles to attend the Balloon Fiesta we again bought our tickets and prepared to be “hurded like cattle” as we waited to catch our shuttle bus. Well, we were NOT prepared for the long lines that awaited us (pun intended) on Opening Day of the Balloon Fiesta. The line to catch the shuttle weaved around and around the mall parking lot. It was crazy! We ended up having to wait one hour and ten minutes to catch a bus to the Balloon Fiesta Park. It was insane. (The return shuttle wasn't any better as we waited 40 minutes in that line.) We had decided ahead of time we would wait to eat until we got to the park, hello green chile breakfast burritos, so we were starved and in no mood to brave the crazy crowd. I felt a little better about our decision to attend opening morning after I had food and coffee in my belly!

Words can not express the amazing sights that await at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. If you ever have a chance to attend, I HIGHLY recommend it. I wouldn't go opening day, or weekend, though. It takes place every year the first two weeks of October. It is truly wonderful and despite the long wait for a shuttle and the crazy crowds, we will do it again!

Here are some photos from the morning launch.

We were able to capture some photos of a balloon from start to finish.

We had plans to attend both the morning and evening balloon sessions. The evening session is a night glow and fireworks display. We headed back to my Aunt Barb's place for some relaxing and a siesta before getting ready to head back to the park and ride. I was sporting my new hot air balloon earrings I had bought in the park earlier in the day.

Since our morning shuttle experience was not the best we made sure we showed up early to the park and ride lot for the evening balloon session. We planned on a whole extra hour only to find nobody waiting in line to go Balloon Fiesta Park. Doh! We killed a bit of time at he mall and then caught the shuttle bus to the park. The schedule said the night glow would start at 5:45pm. I found that odd since it wasn't even dark yet. The actual balloon glow didn't start until around 7pm. We killed even more time by eating some of the yummy vender food and finding one of only a few seats in the shade, inside the beer garden. I enjoyed an adult beverage while we waited.

The evening glow wasn't as spectacular as three years ago. The wind had picked up and several balloonists decided not to try and inflate their balloons. The few that did make it up didn't stay up long. It was a bit of a bummer. We decided to catch the shuttle back to our car and not stay for the fireworks. I do love fireworks but we could see there was a little bit of a crowd and just incase we wanted to get a jump on the shuttle lines. We had a great time and I look forward to another visit sometime down the road.