A balloon in the sky shortly after sunrise. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The first Balloon Fiesta took place in 1972. Thirteen balloons launched from the parking lot of the Coronado Center Shopping Mall, an urban location approximately 3.5 miles east-northeast from downtown Albuquerque.
View from the Thomson Fenceline Trail, Rio Rancho. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Since its beginnings, this annual event has grown to upwards of 600 balloons that launch from Balloon Fiesta Park, an area in Albuquerque's North Valley that covers as much space as 54 football fields. The 2024 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta took place from October 5 through 13, with excellent weather conditions that allowed for a mass ascent with a "green flag" each of the nine days.
Balloons above the village of Corrales, with the Sandia Mountains to the east. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Balloons above Albuquerque's North Valley. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The number of balloons at this event peaked at over 1,000 entries in 2000. Since then, the number has been reduced to no more than 600 per year to ensure the safety of the balloons and their passengers, especially as the number of open areas for landing zones has declined.
Balloons above Rio Rancho, a common sight during Fiesta. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Lots of rubbernecking during rush hour in Rio Rancho. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Join me for some highlights from the balloons in the 2024 Balloon Fiesta. In addition to the balloons lifting, this celebration includes drone shows, skydiving, chainsaw carving exhibitions, and fireworks.
Balloons come in a variety of shapes ... Photo by Jim Schnur.
... and sizes, with this Duke City balloon being the biggest. Photo by Jim Schnur.
At a time when the sunrise is generally a little after 7 a.m., events begin as early as 5:45 a.m., with the morning glow of the fires filling some of the balloons that takes place a little after 6 a.m.
Mass ascension at Balloon Fiesta Park, viewed from Rio Rancho. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Mass Ascension
Mass ascension viewed from a plateau at the Rio Rancho/Corrales line. Photo by Jim Schnur.
With fall temperatures hovering around the upper 40s or low 50s, the first of two waves of balloons soar into the sky around 7 a.m. Mass ascension is a carefully choreographed activity, as balloons expand and leave the ground in a way that prevents them from bumping into one another.
During this ascension, balloons moved southward. Photo by Jim Schnur.
On a different day, the balloons ascended toward Rio Rancho. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Balloons approaching Corrales and Rio Rancho at varying altitudes. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The Albuquerque "Box"
Wind conditions govern the movement of the balloons. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The fall temperatures, cooler mornings, mild afternoons, and gentle winds offer the perfect environment for balloons to fly. Generally predictable wind patterns this time of year allow for the balloons to navigate between the lower northerly winds near the Rio Grande River valley, to the southerly winds at higher altitudes. The "box" is formed within the valley, with the impressive Sandia Mountains helping to channel the morning winds.
The sun rising over the Sandia Mountains to the east. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The green and pink elephants make an appearance. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Soaring into the Sky
Balloons soaring above Rio Rancho, north of Albuquerque. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The wind speeds and direction govern the movement of the balloons after their ascent. Most mornings, the balloons head toward Albuquerque, careful not to get too close to the flight paths at the Sunport and Kirtland Air Force Base. Some move northward toward Corrales and Rio Rancho.
Balloons have a variety of shapes and sizes. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Balloons often approach plateaus, allowing for great views. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Often, the balloonists would wave at people on the ground. Photo by Jim Schnur.
A balloon rises over the village of Corrales. Photo by Jim Schnur
In addition to traditional balloons, there are many that have unique shapes. On a couple of days, the Balloon Fiesta has a "Special Shape Rodeo" with all of these balloons launching together, along with an evening "Glowdeo" after sunset for people to see the see the shapes lit in the twilight.
A fox above my backyard in Lomas Encantadas, Rio Rancho. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Accidents May Happen
Unlike vehicles, balloons do not have brakes. Sometimes, a burst of wind may take a balloonist off their desired course with bad results.
The Smokey Bear balloon in 2004. Screen capture, KOAT-TV.
Collapsed radio tower after a balloon hit a guy wire, 2024. Screen capture, KOAT-TV
Twenty years later, on October 11, 2024,
a balloon hit one of the guy wires in the same radio antenna farm. This time, the 800-foot-tall radio tower collapsed, though fortunately the pilot was able to land safely.
Most balloons stay far away from dangerous items on the ground. Photo by Jim Schnur.
A balloon prepares to land near Albino Road in Corrales. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Deflating in the Valley or on a Plateau
The balloon after it safely reached the ground. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Rather than staying airborne in a loop to and from Balloon Fiesta Park, oftentimes the balloons will find an open space and deflate for a period of time. Some choose less developed areas of western Rio Rancho. Others deflate in the many open spaces of the village of Corrales.
Coming in from the north, getting ready to land. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Seeing a little space near the frog, as the penguin watches. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Touching ground, safely in open space in Corrales. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Sometimes, a group of balloons land in the same open space. At other times, they land solo along an open area of the bosque (forest) near the Rio Grande, or in the undeveloped acreage within Rio Rancho.
The roadrunner balloon deflating in northern Albuquerque. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Balloons getting ready to land in Corrales. Photo by Jim Schnur.
They have safely reached the ground. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Unlike the mass ascension, the pattern of balloons landing and deflating varies.
Balloons getting ready to land in Corrales (foreground) and the bosque. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Balloons safely reaching the ground near a home in Corrales. Photo by Jim Schnur.
A Memorable Week
Balloons rising from Albuquerque toward Rio Rancho. Photo by Jim Schnur.
The Balloon Fiesta is the largest ballooning event in the world and the most popular annual event in New Mexico. Similar to
the burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe at the end of August, this early October event attracts large crowds at Balloon Fiesta Park, and provides residents and visitors throughout the area plenty of places to enjoy the balloons for free.
A balloon, a sunrise, and a mountain. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Reaching great heights, with the Sandias in the backdrop. Photo by Jim Schnur.
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