Albuquerque in the fall means Balloon Fiesta—huge, colorful hot air balloons that launch with a whoosh of air and float silently above like a scene from another age.
If you’ve ever wanted to go, this post gives you a pretty good idea of what you’ll see, along with some helpful hints. Besides cool video, you’ll see some gorgeous still shots of balloons. Like this one:
We saw beautiful things, but that clear blue sky was by far the most beautiful.
M. and I have both been to the Fiesta before, but never together. So when we decided to visit Santa Fe (another of our favorites) we just had to reprise the Balloon Fiesta, only this time, together. It was the 42nd consecutive fiesta and we’d both been there around 1989—so we wondered what might be new.
As it turned, out, plenty.
All kinds of balloons!
We drove the hour from Santa Fe to Albuquerque and checked in to a hotel near the Balloon Fiesta Park. This was a smart idea. Daytime ascensions are just after dawn, requiring early wake-up calls.
The two-mile drive to the launch grounds was bumper to bumper, taking more than TWO HOURS, so we chose to pay an exhorbitant fee ($32 each) for a fast bus ride from the hotel. This was also a smart idea. After all, who wants to sit idling in traffic when there are balloons to see! The bus route took about eight minutes. If you go, do this, don’t drive to Fiesta Park yourself or you’ll be leaving at 4:30 a.m.
We began with Twilight Twinkle GlowTM Just after sunset, hundreds of balloons puffed up and lit up, so that we could see their beauty on the ground.
We thought they’d ascend all lit up, but we were wrong. Balloons must be on the ground by half an hour before sunset, so it was too late to launch. But they could display their colors and designs lit from within, and we had a chance to watch set-up. It was a good prep for the next day.
Crews were busy before sundown.
Once the sun went down, the mountain air was downright cold! Most of the balloons lit up closer to 7:30pm than 5:45pm, so we had a long wait in the chilly air. We quickly discovered that the closer we were to the propane flames, the warmer we were. Up close and personal with the crews, that’s what we became.
Almost other-worldly.
But we wanted to see the balloons in the air, so we decided to get up before the crack of dawn and take the 6am bus to the next morning’s Mass Ascension. This time, we were prepared for the 38 degree weather.
Here’s what I wore: Leggings. Jeans on top of them. A long sleeved cotton shirt. A turtleneck. A thick sweatshirt with hood. A wool jacket. Knit gloves.
And I was still cold.
Once the sun came up, we ooohed and ahhhed as each magnificent orb floated heavenward.
Here’s what happens:
First, they lay the balloon out on the ground. The basket goes over, too.
They fill it with air using a big fan, and then fire up the gas. The vids below show some of that.
And then up, up and away! Aren’t these videos below cool? More on my Youtube channel.
The character balloons were amusing, but for me the most beautiful balloons were the old fashioned kind with distinctive colors and designs, and that soared above us like some scene from a century ago. Come along and enjoy the sights!
As far as the eye could see, the sky was filled with floating colors.
Loved this post. Have always been fascinated by hot air balloons and love to watch them. We have seen several smaller launches but would love to go to this one someday. Your suggestions of staying close by and taking the bus sound like great ideas!!! Thanks for a lovely view on this Monday morning!
Thanks so much for sharing this!! What a gorgeous sight! I did not know that balloons could come in so many different shapes. The butterfly is awesome!
What a fantastic event that was. We didn’t go to the park as often as you did, we just went once for mass ascension. And you are right, it was FREEZING ;). We live in the valley, so every morning we had our own private balloon fiesta in the back yard. One even landed just down the street from our house! I missed Elvis, how did I miss Elvis? We took the park and ride too, at 5am. I can hardly wait till next year!
LOVE balloon festivals! We had a little charity one last weekend but the large one we used to have in town isn’t around anymore. One day I want to go to the one in NM. My friend lives there and helped one of the teams too. FUN! thanks!
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What wonderful balloons! I had no idea that they came in such a variety of shapes. Thanks for sharing!
Check out those vids if you haven’t–so fantastic! Hope you get to go one day.
Loved this post. Have always been fascinated by hot air balloons and love to watch them. We have seen several smaller launches but would love to go to this one someday. Your suggestions of staying close by and taking the bus sound like great ideas!!! Thanks for a lovely view on this Monday morning!
It’s definitely worth the trip, I hope you go!
Thanks so much for sharing this!! What a gorgeous sight! I did not know that balloons could come in so many different shapes. The butterfly is awesome!
I loved how the kids would exclaim with each character that went up. It was a cool vacation.
So many funny ones. The clock and hummingbird are very unique. Elvis and Darth Vader are a scream. You must have had such a good time!
Way fun. You and the husband should do this one day!
Beautiful photos! Thanks for giving me a smile this morning!
Awww, thanks!
What a fantastic event that was. We didn’t go to the park as often as you did, we just went once for mass ascension. And you are right, it was FREEZING ;). We live in the valley, so every morning we had our own private balloon fiesta in the back yard. One even landed just down the street from our house! I missed Elvis, how did I miss Elvis? We took the park and ride too, at 5am. I can hardly wait till next year!
Elvisss! He was so cool!
This has been on my to-do list for years. Great pictures!
Hope 2015 is your year, and do hang on to those tips. They will save you time and aggravation!
LOVE balloon festivals! We had a little charity one last weekend but the large one we used to have in town isn’t around anymore. One day I want to go to the one in NM. My friend lives there and helped one of the teams too. FUN! thanks!
The scale is amazing. Hundreds in the air. Don’t miss it!
Carol,
This looks amazing. I’ve always wanted to check it our cause I heard such great things about the experience. Thanks for sharing it.
Estelle
It’s a “don’t miss”–do it!
What an amazing adventure Carol!! I’ve never been ballooning but I now I want to try it. Fantastic photos!
Do it! 😉