News & Updates
Inside the Basket - Jonathan Abdalla, Chasers' Club
May 24, 2019
Jonathan Abdalla has been involved with Balloon Fiesta for many years. Since 1988, he has been involved with everything from designing pins to greeting guests. In this month’s Inside th…
Inside the Basket - Jeff Rowe, Kiwanis Treasurer
April 25, 2019
Jeff Rowe is the Kiwanis Club of Albuquerquepast president and the current treasurer. The Kiwanis Club works the admission gates at Balloon Fiesta. In this month’s Inside the Basket, l…
Inside the Basket - Erica Hahn, Balloon Fiesta Concessions & Executive Assistant
March 29, 2019
Erica Hahn oversees a variety of areas at Balloon Fiesta, including concessions and Artisans. This month’s Inside the Basket explores her role within the event, and some of her favorite…
Inside the Basket - Helen Chavez, Balloon Fiesta Navigator
February 25, 2019
Helen Chavez is one of many Balloon Fiesta Navigators. This month’s Inside the Basket provides insight into her role at the event and what her favorite part of volunteering is. 1. Give a…
Inside the Basket - Dean Carlton, Balloon Fiesta pilot
January 24, 2019
Dean Carlton pilots the balloon CaZooee and has participated in Balloon Fiesta for many years, along with his son and his sister. Take a look at this month’s Inside the Basket to see h…
Inside the Basket - Beverlee Henry, X Marks-the-spot winner
November 25, 2018
Beverlee Henry is one of 2018’s X Marks-the-Spot winners.
In this month’s Inside the Basket, we learn more about her experience with this new program and her favorite pa…
2018 FINAL NUMBERS
October 31, 2018
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2018 – FINAL NUMBERS For Immediate Release Contact: Tom Garrity, Director of Media Relations (505) 898 - 8689 Event Theme: Carry Me Away Final N…
Inside the Basket - Keelie Garcia, Balloon Fiesta Navigator
October 29, 2018
Keelie Garcia is a long-time balloon enthusiast, but first time Balloon Fiesta Navigator. In this month’s Inside the Basket, we take a look at her new role with Balloon Fiesta and explor…
Inside the Basket - Craig Degenhard, Co-Team Leader, Bike Valet
August 27, 2018
Craig Degenhard is the Co-Team Leader of Balloon Fiesta’s Bike Valet. Read this month’s Inside the Basket for his advice on why and how to use this service, available to Balloon Fi…
Inside the Basket - Ian Martin, Balloon Fiesta Pilot
August 23, 2018
Ian Martin is a first-time pilot at Balloon Fiesta. Check out this month’s Inside the Basket, for a look into his ballooning experience and what he’s looking forward to at this yea…
Inside the Basket - Trudy DeGraff, Balloon Fiesta Pilot
July 24, 2018
Balloon Fiesta is celebrating its 30thSpecial Shape Rodeo and Trudy DeGraff, a former Air Force pilot, is one of the many special shape pilots.
In this month’s Inside the Bas…
Daniel Killen - 2018 Official Serigraph Poster Artist
July 24, 2018
Daniel Killen was born in 1965 and raised along the coast of Southern California, where he still lives and calls home. The youngest of four, Daniel’s family originally immigrated to the…
Inside the Basket - Kim Judge, Balloon Fiesta Navigator/RV Manager
June 24, 2018
Kim Judge is Balloon Fiesta’s Navigator and RV Manager. She works to help volunteers provide guests with the best experience possible. Take a look at this month’s Inside the Basket…
2018 Balloon Fiesta Celebrates 47th Event
June 3, 2018
“Carry Me Away” Launches October 6-14, 2018 Albuquerque, NM - The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® will launch from Balloon Fiesta Park, October 6-14, 2018. The 47t…
Inside the Basket - John Petrehn, Balloon Fiesta Pilot
May 28, 2018
Balloon Fiesta pilot John Petrehn has a long history with hot air ballooning. In this month's Inside the Basket, learn about his role as the pilot of the Canon balloon at Balloon Fiesta and h…
Inside the Basket - Kate Johnson, Gondola Club Co-Leader
April 22, 2018
Kate Johnson is the Co-Leader of the Gondola Club at Balloon Fiesta. She works alongside Dave Kinney to provide an experience that guests won’t forget. In this month’s Inside the…
Inside the Basket - Liz Spielman, Event Coordinator
March 29, 2018
Liz Spielman (pictured on the left) is one of many employees who works year-round at Balloon Fiesta to make the event such a success. Starting as the Event Assistant in 2017, she has recently…
Inside the Basket - John Davis, Heritage Committee Member
February 20, 2018
John Davis is a member of the Balloon Fiesta Heritage Committee, as well as a co-author of a recent award winning book. As a Balloon Fiesta participant for more than 40 years, he brings a wea…
Inside the Basket - Elizabeth Wright-Smith, Balloon Fiesta Pilot
January 17, 2018
Elizabeth Wright-Smith, pilot of the special shape balloon ¢ent’r Stage, the Wells Fargo Stagecoach, has been a part of the ballooning world since she was a young child. Even befo…
Inside the Basket- Brad Temeyer - Weather Team Chief at Balloon Fiesta
December 13, 2017
Brad Temeyer is celebrating his first year as Chief of the Weather Team at Balloon Fiesta. As Chief, he works to ensure the safety of balloonists participating in the event by leading weather…
Inside the Basket - Rick Bowles, Balloon Fiesta Volunteer
November 19, 2017
Rick Bowles has been a longtime Balloon Fiesta volunteer. After his 42nd year volunteering, he is retiring. In this month’s Inside the Basket, Rick shares how he became involved with thi…
It's Official! Swiss Team Smashes Record, Wins America's Challenge
October 14, 2017
Update 9 PM MDT Saturday, October 14 (0300Z Sunday, October 15) The scoring process has confirmed what the ballooning world already knew: Switzerland’s Nicolas Tièche and Laurent…
Swiss Team Unofficial Winners of America's Challenge
October 10, 2017
Update 12:45 PM MDT (1845Z) Wednesday, October 11 The Swiss team of Nicolas Tièche and Laurent Sciboz, newcomers to the America’s Challenge but experienced international competito…
