Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2023

[02ebz06]

For those unfamiliar with the fiesta, it has been going on for 51 years in Albuquerque, NM.
People come from all over the world.
First 4 pics are the starting of the mass ascension on the first day if the fiesta.
The balloons in the last picture (wife took it off TV) should be familiar.
They are considered "special shapes" any probably won't go up today.
Wind has to be 3mph or less I believe for them to take off.
They hope to have one day where they can all take off.
Lots of different ones, aliens, Creamland Cow, Smokie The Bear...

Fiesta lasts for an entire week

 

[gmc2003]

That's a lot of balloons. Vt. has a balloon festival in Quechee it's been going on for about 40 years now.

Chris

 

[02ebz06]

Usually over 500 balloons.
My wife it the one that likes the balloons.
She has gone up twice and went to the fiesta once.
If it doesn't have motors, I ain't gettin' in it.

 

[Fueling Around]

Fun
There used to be a balloon festival in Kent (Seattle suburb).
I got invited on a sunrise flight. Surreal experience.

 

[Colin1230]

I was in Albuquerque for our daughters wedding in 2020 the same weekend as the Balloon Fiesta. The pandemic closed the festival to instate balloons only. There may have been a couple of dozen. I've wanted to go back for the real show.

 

[tx smoker]

That is so cool!! They used to do a similar type of event, although not nearly this big, in a huge corn field just outside of the town I grew up in. we loved to go and watch every year. So much fun.

Robert

 

[DRKsmoking]

That is cool and wow on how many.

Mona and I did it in Florida, so quite until he blasted the flames . Was not expecting that.
We went up early morning before the wind picks up. There were about 20 Balloons

Would love to see all the balloons in one area like you have there .

David

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

Looks cool, however I think the price to get me in one would be about a million dollars

 

[civilsmoker]

Very cool 02! I went to it back in the early 90s, it was really cool for sure. Not sure about now but back then you just walked among the balloons!