ARE YOU READY FOR FIESTA!

 ARE YOU READY FOR FIESTA!

Well, here we are, Friday before FIESTA!(Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, or AIBF)   officially starts. To recap our journey thus far, we drove 538 miles to the Bernalillo KOA where we stayed two nights. There we started to organize and chill before the FIESTA kicks off. 

Then on Thursday, we packed up and moved to the  Presidents Compound RV lot at Fiesta. We slid into our site and set up in a more perminate fashion for our 12 night stay. 

Thursday I was able to get my Navigator packet. Navigators are the volunteers who work FIESTA. This includes my Event ID, party tickets, two T-Shirts, an event program, calendar, and a Jacket.  

 I also met up with the Boss and got my Photo Packet. This includes a photo vest, Media Creds, Pins, Sponsor Hospitality Pass and other stuff. 

Back at SOLFAR (our camper) Lynn had the interior set up and I did some organization of my photo vest and equipment. There is still some more stuff to get together.   
This is the 53rd AIBF and the theme is Painted Horizons. The event starts on 10/4 and concludes on 10/12.

 Fiesta has grown from a quaint launch of 13 balloons in 1972 to the massive nine day celebration it has become today. 2025 marks the 53rd event for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. 

During Balloon Fiesta, one can expect to see more than 500 balloons participating in early morning Mass Ascensions, along with 100 Special Shape
balloons filling the skies, and in the evening, 200 balloons light up the evening sky with Balloon Glows and spectacular fireworks.

 All of the balloons launch from Balloon Fiesta Park, an 86-acre grass launch field – the size of 56
football fields. Pilots participating in the competitive events will launch off site and fly towards Balloon Fiesta Park on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during the event.  

WHY ALBUQUERQUE, NM? - The Albuquerque Box is one reason: 

There are more than balloons here, there is the Fastrax Sky Diving Team, an amazing drone show, Pin trading (a big thing here, as 60,000 pins are ordered), Chain Saw carving, 38 vendors, musical acts and more. 

Fiesta will host over  800,000 guests. These guests will consume about 85,000 breakfast burritos. 

For me, I am honored to be a small part of this event. My days will be long, so I might not post as much here in the Blog, but will give it a go. 

Finally the best bit of advice I can give any one who wants to attend Fiesta is PLAN EARLY! Things book out early.  
 

 

                          Chili Peppers Fly Over Practice

                      Rainbow Riders and flying this Morning

As the breakfast burrito is purported to have been invented at Fiesta it is only fitting we start the day with one. 

 

 Lynn is planning on the Merchandise Tent this morning.