Get Your H.A.T.

In 1972, 13 balloons were held in the Coronado Center Mall parking lot. There were about 10,000 guests that showed up to this small event. The next year 13 countries took part in the “First World Hot Air Balloon Championship”, which was held at the New Mexico State fairgrounds. By 1978 Albuquerque hosted the balloon fiesta which had 273 entries. Starting in 1981 gas balloons were welcomed. In 1988 there were 600 balloons registered. In 1993 and 1999, AIBF hosted the annual Coupe de Gordon Bennet, the world oldest and most prestigious gas balloon race that dates back all the way to 1912. In 1999 there were 903 balloon entries. The number of entries as well as guest continued to increase. In 2000 they registered more than 1,000 balloons.

On the 50th anniversary, 2022, a reenactment of the thirteen balloons was held at the Coronado Center Mall on September 30th. The balloon fiesta has grown to include special shape balloons, balloon glows, drone shows, and fireworks. It is now held at the balloon fiesta park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The evening of October 8, 2022, just as everyone was getting into Balloon fiesta park, sky divers jumped out of an airplane with United States flags. It was a great way to start to the fiesta. Everyone ate from food stands, food trucks, or company tents. Most people had finished eating when balloons started to air up. Some started to light up, while others didn’t. Many people were glad to see the baby bee balloon has been found and reunited with its family.

Unfortunately, the balloons had to be put away almost as soon as they had gone up. A severe rain storm caused a Public Safety Alert for an Emergency Public evacuation order for Balloon Fiesta Field. When it first started to rain everyone huddled in tents, under canopies, or in a nearby building. Thinking they’d see nothing the Balloon Fiesta planned, everyone was quite surprised to see fireworks. Although everyone was drenched in rain the firework show was not a disappointment. In fact, it was a great way to end the balloon fiesta which soon started to have water rushing down the pathways. Everyone summoned up enough courage to run to their vehicles. The Balloon fiesta had many busses waiting to pick people up and take them home. But for the ones that decided to walk, it was chaotic. Many people rushed, trying not to get separated from their families, and as if that was not dramatic enough you could hear babies crying. When everyone got to their vehicles, they were sopping wet and got stuck in the parking lot traffic for an hour. Can’t wait for next year to do it all over again.

Or not…