by Faerl Marie Torres
the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta celebrates its 50th anniversary
IMAGINE STEPPING OUT into your yard as dawn turns to daylight and looking toward the heavens only to see a sky full of colorful hot air balloons. The Mass Ascension is like a symphony with its opening movement being brisk and lively as the sound of the burners crescendo and the balloons take flight. Suddenly, the sky above the city is blanketed with a patchwork of multicolored, vibrant orbs. This is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
In 1972, 13 balloonists gathered in the parking lot of the Coronado Center Mall for an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Albuquerque news radio KKOB (then known as KOB). The event included the first-ever Roadrunner-Coyote race, and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta took flight.
Fifty years later, the event is renowned the world over with thousands of balloons launched and viewed by hundreds of thousands of people across the globe including those watching through livestreams and television as well as in-person attendees. Balloon Fiesta, in addition to being the largest ballooning event, is the most photographed event on earth—recent estimates show that 25 million photos are taken over the course of the event—and the largest annual international event in the U.S. “[We] set a world record for balloons,” says Thomas McConnell, board of directors’ member, retired balloon pilot and original owner of Zia, the New Mexico state flag balloon. “Other places have tried to outdo us, but they’ve never even come close.”
Part of the success of this event is a result of a geographic phenomenon called the Albuquerque “box.” Thanks to this weather wonder, Albuquerque is a uniquely ideal place to fly. The “box” is a predictable set of wind patterns that at low elevations tend to be southerly and at higher elevations tend to be northerly. Balloonists can use these winds to navigate in a circular pattern to hover over the city and are sometimes able to land in nearly the same place the took off.
In addition to the early morning Mass Ascension, the annual Balloon Glow, Night Magic Glow™ and Special Shapes Rodeo™ awe spectators of all ages and nationalities. The remote-control Fiesta de Los Globitos is especially popular among younger crowds with smaller-scale balloons ranging in size from six to twenty feet. The annual Flight of Nations is a special ascension where each balloon’s national flag is flown, honoring all the places we call home.
Looking to the horizon, plans include expanding the variety of attractions and virtual events. “Year after year, we are always considering ways to give our guests new experiences and exceed expectations, while maintaining our safety standards,” says Sam Parks, Balloon Fiesta director of operations. “Our team is proud of how this event has grown, and we look forward to keeping the momentum going for years to come.”
Throughout its half century, Balloon Fiesta has hosted balloons from 56 countries with dozens of languages uttering wonderment. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a unifying event, bringing people from all over the world together to look to the sky we share and marvel at the beauty and wonders of human partnership and ingenuity.
