2006 ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA
October 6–15, 2007

Every year in early October, hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes rise into the crisp fall air and fill the big blue New Mexico sky during the celebrated Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The 10-day festival, which hosts representative balloonists from a third of the world’s countries, began in 1972, when 13 balloons launched from a mall parking lot. Today, 700 balloons will soar above the New Mexico landscape, making the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta the largest ballooning event on earth on earth.

The festival includes an array of special events and attractions:

• Mass Ascensions: spectacular displays of color in which all participating balloons launch in two waves from the park’s 78-acre launch field. Each Mass Ascension begins around 7:15 a.m., weather permitting.

• Balloon Glows: Hundreds of tethered balloons are inflated, burners are ignited, and brilliant color fills the evening sky.

• Special Shapes Rodeo: a showcase for balloons in creative shapes, including a piggy bank, a ship, a cow, a tennis shoe, a folded newspaper, a motorcycle, a dragon, and a stagecoach. Special shapes balloon “glows,” known as Glowdeos, take place on Thursday and Friday evenings.

• America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race: In this, one of the most prestigious long-distance ballooning events in the world, the balloon that flies the furthest wins. Some balloons have traveled as far as Canada and the East Coast.

• Fiesta del Vino: At this New Mexico wine festival, which takes place on October 7 and 8, the $10 separate entry fee includes a souvenir wine glass.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Park is located north of Alameda Boulevard, one mile west of Interstate 25. Parking is available on-site, and shuttles travel to the park from various locations in the city. For more information, visit www.balloonfiesta.com or call 888.422.7277 or 505.821.1000.