LibGuides: ABQ Sports and Leisure: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Balloon Racing and historic flights in Albuquerque

Balloon Fiesta Highlights

Gas balloons became part of the Balloon Fiesta in 1981
4-time host of Gordon Bennett Cup (or Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett), the world's oldest gas balloon race - 1993, 1999, 2005, 2008
in 1994, hosted the 8th World Gas Balloon Championships
in 1995, the America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race was created at the Balloon Fiesta. Also, a 1-hour show about the Balloon Fiesta aired on ESPN's "Great American Events"

balloon fiesta pic

books

Find out more about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta by Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Heritage From its humble beginning in 1972 when 13 hot-air balloons ascended from an Albuquerque shopping center parking lot to a stunning annual gathering of 500-plus aeronauts, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta lives on as the most-photographed air show on the planet. As you page through this book, imagine yourself going along for the ride and soaring to new heights. Or if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, imagine yourself strolling among hundreds of swaying giants, seemingly lost in a dizzying kaleidoscope of color. Join in the camaraderie that draws pilots and fans to Albuquerque from all over the world. You will find yourself mesmerized by the Balloon Fiesta's signature events and its spirited competition among hot-air balloon pilots. As an added attraction, step back in time to when hydrogen-gas balloons once graced Albuquerque skies and enjoy the fascinating world of silent flight, the America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race.
The World Comes to Albuquerque by Kim Vesely; Dick Brown; Tom McConnell Celebrating 40 years of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Balloons over Albuquerque by Steve Larese From the festival founder's boast at a party in 1971 that he could fly his newly bought balloon, to an annual celebration that now draws more than half a million people to New Mexico, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a story of good times and friendships formed over decades of ballooning. An average of 700 balloonists from scores of nations participate in the October event, lifting off with the rising sun in the crisp Albuquerque air and floating against the turquoise skies and salmon-pink Sand#65533;a Mountains. Traditional balloons mix with specially designed balloons such as shade-wearing suns and Darth Vader to thrill the tens of thousands of spectators below. The excitement continues into the nights with balloon glows and fireworks. Over 150 images capture the colours, crowds, and camaraderie that have made Albuquerque the ballooning capital of the world.
Albuquerque: Where the World Celebrates Ballooning by Q13-KRQE TV ; in association with Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Flying Franks, Floating Fish: The Odd October Skies of Albuquerque - A Loving Tribute to Photographing Twenty Years of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Special Shaped Balloons by Kim Alaburda

History of Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Balloon Fiesta started with 13 balloons in 1972. By 1978, it was the largest ballooning event in the world with 273 entries, and now attendance has grown to hundreds of balloons and thousands of pilots participating. The Fiesta has moved from the parking lot of Coronado Center to the Fairgrounds to Balloon Fiesta Park, with a museum dedicated to balloon flight, the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, onsite. For nine days in October, a full-time paid staff of less than 12 people, an all-volunteer board of up to 24 members, and thousands of volunteers work together to put on this exciting event, which includes weekend and Wednesday mass ascensions, Balloon Glow®, Night Magic™ Glow, and the Special Shape Rodeo and Special Shape Glowdeo™. The Balloon Fiesta was sponsored by Kodak from 1992-2002, in reflection that the event had become one of the world's most photographed.

In 1975, there were two Balloon Fiestas! The 1974 Fiesta had been held in February, but it was decided that due to persistent bad weather in New Mexico February-April, it would be better to stage the 1975 Balloon Fiesta in October. But there was concern that the public might lose interest in the 20 months between events, so a local balloon club, the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA) stepped in and hosted a different balloon event in February 1975, the Cloudbouncer Rally - this morphed into the Friends and Lovers Rally, which the AAAA continues to host today.