Fun Fact #5 – Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Each October Albuquerque hosts the world’s largest international hot air balloon fiesta.

In New Mexico, October means colorful and interesting skies lit with hot air balloons of bright designs and facinating shapes. This year, the Balloon Fiesta, themed “Desert Kaleidoscope”, runs from October 1st – 9th, 2016 and is sponsored by Canon. This festival stands out against others not only because it is the largest, but guests to the park can actually walk through the launch site, see the balloons up close, and talk to the pilots & crew. Since the fiesta is only a few days away, here’s some information to get you going!

The Balloon Fiesta began it’s humble beginnings began in 1972, with its first launch in a shopping mall parking lot and hosted 13 balloons. Its popularity has made it into the largest hot air balloon fiesta in the world, with the Balloon Fiesta park at 78 acres and annually hosts around 600 balloons and pilots.The park is located at 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113.

The park is located at 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 and the roads surrounding it are at a standstill during the morning and evening events. Here are the directions to get to the park this year as well as specific parking areas. Another way to get to the park is Albuquerque’s Park & Ride Program, where you can park offsite and take an Albuquerque city bus straight to the park without the hassle of finding a parking spot.

The fiesta offers not only balloons but 1/3 mile long road of vendors (both food and beverage & souvenirs). There is also many types of other entertainment such as musicians, children’s acts, and roving entertainment. For more information on the fiesta, contact information and more check out these links for the Balloon Fiesta Website and Fiesta FAQs, and enjoy your colorful October!

Header Image – “Hot Air Balloon Commute” – Georgia T – For Sale on Fine Art America

All images © 2003-2016 Georgia T.