The Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque is the largest balloon fest in the world. It is the only one that allows spectators to walk amongst the balloons as they are laid out, inflated and lifted off into the air. Words can not adequately describe what we saw and the photos and videos we took do not capture the unbelievable, amazing sights you see on the field. The first part of the week was when they had the accidental death of a 60-year old woman and few others were hurt in separate balloon accidents, which definitely dampened the spirits of the fiesta. They are still investigating these accidents. We attended the last 4 days of the 10-day event. The first day we got up at 4:30 in time to see Dawn Patrol at 5:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol Balloons participate in a pre-dawn show that also helps the pilots determine winds aloft conditions. We only did that the first day. That day and the next 4 mornings we were over to the field by 7 a.m. to see the mass ascensions where hundreds of balloons launch in waves filling the sky overhead. This was an amazing sight and there is no way we could capture all of it on film. Being amongst the balloons being inflated and watching them lift off was so exciting. Then seeing almost 700 balloons up in the sky at once is indescribable. During the days we attended, the special shapes were also a part of the mass ascension. One of the special shapes was the bumble bees that were attached by their hands with Velcro. They would eventually kiss and then separate – amazing! Others were Light House, Energizing Rabbit, Humpty Dumpty (both on the wall and then falling off the wall), Darth Vader, Nightmare House (haunted house), Moo Cow, Wells Fargo Wagon, Tree of Parrots, Orient Express and many many more. This is not to down play the unbelievable colors and patterns of the regular shape balloons.

On two of the days, after the mass ascension, they had the Flying Competition and Prize Grab. This is where the balloon pilots attempt to maneuver their balloons over a designated target and drop color streamers. In addition they would also maneuver their balloons close to a 15 foot pole that had an envelope at the top that contained keys to a Honda Truck, valuable wrist watch or sizeable amount of cash. This was very exciting to watch.

At night we would go back to the field around 6:30 to watch the Special Shape Glowdeo where the special shapes and regular shape balloons would on count light up. Another night it was the Night Magic Glow where the regular shape balloons and some special shape balloons would on count light up. Both nights were amazing to see. And the final event each night would be the amazing fireworks.

We made our reservations back in January. We were parked across from the field and it was exciting to see many of the balloons go over our coach and land in the space behind our group of RVs. We looked forward to this event for several months and we were not disappointed. We will be back and we highly recommend this event to everyone.