Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

It felt as though I were looking down at the entire world, but it was only the city of Albuquerque. Applause surrounded us as we drifted off and smiling faces were accompanied by waving hands down on land. My hot air-balloon cruised the clear, crisp early morning skies, escaping from the rest of the toy factory below filled with G.I. Joes, pueblos, and Indians. The entire experience felt like something from a children’s book as all the colorful clouds or hot-air balloons began to fill the sky. All was at peace and all ill-will did not exist. For an aircraft made of a gondola (wicker basket) and envelope (balloon), it was one of the smoothest rides I’d ever been on in my entire life and I didn’t want the ride to end.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an annual event where hundreds of balloons go up in mass ascension to decorate and paint the New Mexico sky. It is easily one of the largest, if not THE largest festival held annually in New Mexico and one of the most photographed events in the entire world. From as early as 5 AM when the Balloon Fiesta park opens families and floods of people pour in for the morning activities – mainly ascension. Children’s eyes spark up as the crews begin to inflate the balloons and one can tell the adults are feeling just the same. For a balloonist or one actually going up in a balloon the experience is like none other in life. My pilot, Mike Collins and his basket filled with seven rookies and three real balloonists placed us at ease. I felt very comfortable and safe riding with him and all the previous anxiety I had was left on the ground. I’m not one to have a fear of heights normally, but I just didn’t know what to expect which was a feeling shared by a handful in my basket. We hung out in the skies for about 50 minutes to an hour and floated about 10-12 miles away from our departure point. Thankfully our landing was a pleasant one without the bumping or plopping onto the ground. The awesome chase crew pulled us down for an easy landing. Once our balloon was packed up it was time to head back to the park to get our souvenir pins, certificates, and toast to our successful flight.

Hot-air balloons are the oldest human-carrying flight technology dating back to its invention in 1783. The first flight taken was actually by a sheep, a duck, and a rooster until the first flight carrying humans was taken on November 21, 1783, in Paris. After the success of the first flight, wine was used in the celebration. In these modern times participants toast to the shared experience with champagne. Our pilot and chase crew made mimosa’s and provided us with a brief history of ballooning before leaving us with this beautiful Irish Balloonists’ Prayer:

The winds have welcomed you with softness.
The sun has blessed you with his warm hands.
You have flown so high and so well that
God has joined us together in laughter and set us
gently back into the loving arms of Mother Earth.
-Irish Balloonists’ Prayer

After the morning festivities the park closes and reopens for the nighttime balloon glow and fireworks, which are as dazzling and splendid as the earlier events. Here are a few shots in color for those that don’t fancy the black and white slide show above.

Dreams are made to come true. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

Candy filled skies. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

Float on… Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

Preparing for the glow. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

The glow begins. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

Several of my loved ones made it known that they would NEVER go up in a hot-air balloon. EVER! However, I’d LOVE to hear from anyone that attended this years festival or anyone who has hopes of going up in balloon in the future. If it is a rocket to the moon you’d like to blast away in, I’d love to hear about that too!

***All Photos in the slide show and color photographs taken by Adrienne C. Wilson except where pictured.***

So beautiful is this day,
A