The 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is this week. We didn’t get here in time for the opening but it was somewhat deliberate as I was trying to avoid the crowds. Turns out Monday and Tuesday are slow days, hardly any crowds at all. We don’t know what to expect and where to go despite the info on their website so we play it safe and follow their recommendation to get there by 4:30am. There is no traffic at all and we are one of the first in to the parking lot. The light mist has stopped, which is encouraging. There are several lots, all enter from the main road. We park in ”granny” in front of the museum; $20 is collected as you enter. From there, the walk is about .5 mi. to the huge grassy field. Not knowing where to go, we walk a third of the way in and stand on a slight knoll while all around us pick up trucks arrive with their gear in the truck beds or in a trailer they are towing. The field is divided into rectangles on a map with balloon operators assigned a rectangle by coordinates; we stand randomly in C 12 and watched the field fill up, wondering if there is a spectator section as it doesn’t seem safe for people to be milling around in the dark with pickups driving around, but apparently that is how it is!
We have now been standing around in the dark for about an hour and at about 6am we start to wonder, as no one is making a move toward unloading. Dawn Patrol is scheduled to start at 6, Mass Ascension at 7. I finally go up to one truck and ask, and am told they are waiting- the committee is meeting to decide on conditions; they are in a weather hold. But she says once they get the go ahead, it only takes 15 min to set up. Yesterday the launch was delayed by 90 minutes.
We learn that the weather might seem fine to us but up high, wind conditions are not good and rain/lightning is forecasted for 8am. ideal conditions are westerly light winds to pull the balloons across, then straight up, and then back, ”the box effect”.
By 7am the launch is cancelled, but conditions are good for a static display and the place comes to life. One by one, baskets are unloaded and tipped on their side. Balloons are stretched out on the ground and hooked to the baskets. We are amazed how long and big the balloons are. A fan blows air in and the balloon is slowly inflated. The big propane tank is placed inside as the basket is uprighted and its flame keeps the balloon upright.
What a magnificent sight to see them up close and we are pleased the crowds are light which allows us to walk around freely.
There are fewer balloons today; they had over 600 on the weekend but it is a thrill just the same. By 8:30, the balloons are getting deflated. It takes a crew to pull the fabric together, fold and pack it back up, and we are grateful they have taken the time to do so.
The ”pilots” come from all over the US. Some run businesses that provide hot air balloon rides, others are amateurs that do this for fun; several are sponsored by companies.
We take a walk to the concession tents but the offerings – breakfast burritos and donuts are not appealing so we head out, with plans to try again tomorrow.