What Festivals does Albuquerque, New Mexico have? Learn about one of the biggest festivals that Albuquerque, New Mexico has every year. The Balloon Festival is a big one. Albuquerque is the host of about...
The Balloon Festival is a big one. Albuquerque is the host of about 700-800 balloons every fall from all over the world. A number of local pilots, as well as other pilots from around the United States, Canada, Germany, England, and New Zealand come. For nine days every morning, we launch all 800 balloons, if the weather permits. The unique aspect about Albuquerque is we have what's called the Albuquerque box, which is unique for ballooning. At different air currents you can stay in the same vicinity that you're ballooning. So you can go up a level and go one direction, go down, or up another level, and go the other direction. Or, you can stay in the same area. This take place right over the Balloon Fiesta Park. The spectators walk amongst the balloons and watch them being launched almost hands on. You can then also view them in flight from all different directions.
Q: So what kind of activities are available to the visitors as the festival is going on?
A: There is an official ride concession, so visitors can take the opportunity to have a hot air balloon ride with the Rainbow Riders. They are the official balloon concession of The Balloon Fiesta. The Balloon Fiesta website is www.balloonfest.com, and you can volunteer to be on a chase crew. If you are on a chase crew, you get the opportunity to fly on a particular balloon, after you have earned it. Then, of course, there are concessions and shops that are set up at Balloon Fiesta Park. In the evening we have what are called balloon lows, where the balloons are tethered and then they are lit. In the dark when you turn the burner on, the balloon looks like this massive field of really big Christmas ornaments, because they are shaped like Christmas bulbs. They fire their burners in sequence, and it's just a unique thing. Usually, with every balloon glow, we have a firework display. The ballooning takes part so early in the day that you have the opportunity to visit the rest of the city throughout the day. You can go down into "Old Town." We are getting ready to celebrate our 300th anniversary in April of 2006. There is a gazebo and a number of specialty shops that have arts, baskets, and turquoise jewelry. There are a lot of things that are unique to New Mexico. There are also a number of museums in that area.
