News & Updates
Inside the Basket - Henry Rosenbaum, Balloon Fiesta Balloonmeister
February 25, 2020
As Balloonmeister, Henry Rosenbaum works to keep pilots and Balloon Fiesta guests safe. He is involved in coordinating the flight operations of each day’s event-filled sessions during Ba…
Inside the Basket - Pat Young, Balloon Fiesta Deputy Director of Public Safety
January 21, 2020
Pat Young is Balloon Fiesta’s Deputy Director of Public Safety. For the nine days of the Balloon Fiesta, he works with the rest of the public safety team to keep guests from around the w…
Inside the Basket - Dennis Christiansen, Balloon Fiesta Transportation Manager
November 19, 2019
Dennis Christiansen is Balloon Fiesta’s Transportation Manager. He works with several local and state entities to help get guests to and from the event. In this month’s Inside the…
Inside the Basket - Braylea Fisher, Balloon Fiesta Guest
October 23, 2019
Braylea Fisher was a a second-time guest at the 2019 Balloon Fiesta. And, with some Balloon Fiesta experience under her belt, she brought a first-time attendee to experience the wonder and awe…
Inside the Basket - Allen Tetreault, Balloon Fiesta Public Safety Director
August 22, 2019
As the Director of Public Safety for Balloon Fiesta, Allen Tetreault works to keep guests safe at the event. His duties range from being involved with the first aid clinic on the field, to co…
Guest Update - July 31, 2019
July 31, 2019
Balloon Fiesta Guests and Supporters, We are about two months from the October 5th start of the 2019 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Our staff and board of directors are busy finaliz…
Inside the Basket - Daniel Killen, Official Balloon Fiesta Serigraph Poster Artist
July 17, 2019
Daniel Killen is the artist of the 2019 Official Balloon Fiesta Serigraph Poster. He is also an illustrator at the Chuck Jones Gallery, which owns the rights to many of the loveable Looney Tun…
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…
