The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most astounding, unforgettable outdoor events you can ever experience. However, making travel plans for this 9-day, world-renowned hot air balloon festival can quickly turn into a daunting list of questions. How many days should I attend?
Are some days better than others? Is it crowded? Where do I stay? What happens if the weather is bad? Can I book a hot air balloon ride?
Our most recent experience was this past October, where we flew our Miss Arkansas balloon in the 50th annual Balloon Fiesta. Miss Arkansas was one of only two state balloons appearing there, and it was heartwarming to see the excitement and state pride on the faces of fellow Arkansans attending the event as she took to the Albuquerque sky!
The morning of a mass ascension is not a day to sleep in as the very first event kicks off at AM! Believe it or not, the traffic pouring into Balloon Fiesta is already lively at AM, turning very heavy by AM. Vendor booths are already open on the field, so you can grab a hearty breakfast burrito or shop for a souvenir as you wait for the event to begin. My favorite part of Balloon Fiesta is actually the very first event of the day: Dawn Patrol.
A dozen or so balloons inflate at AM and then glow tethered on the ground for minutes before they launch into the pre-dawn Albuquerque sky. As they rise above the field, Dawn Patrol balloons resemble giant, twinkling Chinese lanterns. Dawn Patrol actually serves a dual purpose: while these balloons are most certainly crowd entertainment, they are also indicators of wind direction and speed to the more than pilots still on the ground.
