Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Balloon Fiesta Park
4401 Alameda N.E.
Albuquerque, NM United States 87113
First Week In October
Number of balloons: 700
Year began: 1972

From a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown to become hands-down the largest balloon event in the world. Held each year during the first week in October, the Balloon Fiesta hosts hundreds of balloons and over 1,000 pilots. The first gathering of 13 balloons in 1972 was held in the parking lot of Coronado Center in uptown Albuquerque. The following year, 13 countries took part in the "First World Hot Air Balloon Championships," held at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. The event had already caught on. By 1978 Albuquerque was playing host to the world's largest ballooning event (273 entries that year alone).

Gas balloons became part of the Balloon Fiesta in 1981. In 1993 the Balloon Fiesta hosted the 37th annual Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett (also known as the Gordon Bennett Cup ), the world's oldest and most prestigious gas balloon race. In 1994, Balloon Fiesta hosted the 8th World Gas Balloon Championship and in 1995, Fiesta launched America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, a distance race that broke distance records, dating back to 1912.

Today the Balloon Fiesta includes such special events as the weekend and Wednesday mass ascensions, Balloon Glow®, Night Magic™ Glow, and the Special Shape Rodeo and Special Shape Glowdeo™ where more than 100 uniquely shaped balloons participate.

In 1992, the name Kodak was added to Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, reflecting the fact that this had become the world's most photographed event. the Balloon Fiesta has literally changed the face of the ballooning sport, each year showing new pilots and owners what thrilling and safe experience ballooning can be.

Drawing entries from more than 28 different countries, the Balloon Fiesta has truly become international in stature. In 2002, Kodak stepped down from being the title sponsor of Balloon Fiesta.

Media coverage originates from more than 50 nations, with live satellite broadcast to Japan and television documentaries prepared by Great Britain, West Germany, the Netherlands and France. In 1995, a one-hour special on the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta aired on ESPN's "Great American Events". "Great American Events" is a series that profiles unusual and challenging events. The Balloon Fiesta was one in a series of one-hour programs for national and worldwide distribution. The Balloon Fiesta was also featured in a one hour special on the Travel Channel.

In 1999 the prestigious Gordon Bennett Cup was hosted once again by Balloon Fiesta. Twenty teams representing twelve countries participated in the 43rd Annual Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett. The Belgian team of Philippe DeCock and Ronny Van Havere flew a distance of 910 miles to win the race, landing on October 5th, south-southeast of Tupelo, Mississippi. Each year, the Balloon Fiesta is organized by a full-time paid staff of less than 12 people, an all-volunteer boardof up to 24 members and thousands of volunteers working every facet of the event

Transportation services to the park include convenient Park and Ride shuttle schedules. Balloon Fiesta public parking sites are also available, and visitors are encouraged to purchase advance admission tickets.

Web Site: https://balloonfiesta.com/
(888) 422-7277
Email: balloons@balloonfiesta.com