From Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta press guide:
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an event internationally recognized as the sport’s premier event and is produced by a private, non-profit corporation.Throughout its 48 events, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta event has brought a sense of fun and adventure to Albuquerque and the world that is unmatched. It has grown from a quaint launch of 13 balloons in 1972 to the massive nine-day celebration it has become today. During Balloon Fiesta, guests can expect to see more than 500 balloons participating in early morning Mass Ascensions, enchanting Special Shape balloons filling the skies, and, in the evening, 200 balloons light up the evening sky with Balloon Glows and spectacular fireworks. Gas balloons launch at dusk to the strains of the team country’s national anthem, floating slowly up and away competing in a distance competition. All of the balloons launch from Balloon Fiesta Park, a 78-acre grassed field – the size of 56 football fields – that serves as the launch field for all flying events.
A mild amount of interest persisted for many years, but it wasn’t until 1960 that a steady interest in ballooning began. Hot air balloon manufacturing firms began “popping up” in the U.S., most of them in the west and southwest. During the next decade, various balloon flight records for altitude, distance and duration aloft were set by several pilots, among them Ed Yost and Don Piccard.
In 1971, Albuquerque’s Sid Cutter celebrated the 42nd anniversary of his family’s flying service company and his mother’s birthday, with a Raven balloon inflated as a centerpiece in the Cutter Flying Service hangar. This family social event has become a part of ballooning history because of its impact on the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta which was first organized as a 13 balloon rally the following year.
In February 1973, the first World Hot Air Balloon Championship was held in Albuquerque and again in 1975 before it was shifted to other sites in Europe and the U.S. In 1978, well-known Albuquerque balloon adventurers Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson, along with Larry Newman piloted the first balloon ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Their helium filled balloon, the Double Eagle II, landed on August 17th in Miserey near Paris, 137 hours and 6 minutes after leaving Presque Isle, Maine.
In January of 2015 gas balloon pilots Troy Bradley and Leonid Tiukhtyaev, the “Two Eagles” team completed their 7,000-mile journey across the Pacific from Japan to Mexico, surpassing the previous distance record (5,209 miles) for gas balloons.
Today, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has expanded to an over 500 balloon event, with more than 700,000 guest visits over the course of nine days.
This year’s theme is Time Flies. This year’s event begins the countdown to the 50th Balloon Fiesta. Time really does fly when you’re having fun. There is a new theme to Balloon Fiesta every year; the theme is reflected in merchandise, printed and digital artwork.
There will be 6 countries participating in this year’s Balloon Fiesta including: Brazil, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Mexico and United States.
International balloons will enjoy their moment in the spotlight on Wednesday, October 6, during Flight of the Nations, an event that honors all the countries represented at Balloon Fiesta. Up to two balloons from each country will launch while carrying their country’s flag to begin the Mass Ascension.
The Balloon Fiesta Public Safety Team coordinates a multiagency presence at Balloon Fiesta Park that includes more than 20 federal, state and local law enforcement, first responder and government entities to ensure that the annual event is a safe place for its pilots, guests, volunteers and employees.
Since 1991, and keeping in mind the high-profile nature of the event’s international stature, Balloon Fiesta Public Safety Officers complement law enforcement and first responders. In 2021, the event will have more than 100 public safety officers working in conjunction with law enforcement officers and other first responders to keep this the safest place to be in New Mexico. Our public safety team and law enforcement will be visible throughout Balloon Fiesta Park, including our security checkpoints at all public entrances to our event. This includes the checkpoints used by credentialed media entering Balloon Fiesta Park. Each of our eight (8) public entrances will have multiple lanes for bag checks and metal detector screening. Each gate will have marked lanes for those with bags (Bag Check Lanes) and those without bags (Express Lanes).
WEBSITE - www.balloonfiesta.com
Get the latest event schedule, information on hotels, balloon rides, maps and tickets at
www.balloonfiesta.com. Photo galleries, news releases and updates are also available.
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