News & Updates

Inside the Basket - Stacey Peterson, Balloon Fiesta First Time Guest

March 25, 2024

We welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests to Balloon Fiesta Park last year, some who were event veterans and others who were visiting us for the first time. It’s our hope that, whether…


Inside the Basket - Don Henderson, Official Balloon Fiesta Photographer

February 13, 2024

Don Henderson is one of the Balloon Fiesta Official Photographers, specializing in aerial photos taken from the basket. In this month’s Inside the Basket, he gives a look at his journey…


Inside the Basket - Cameron Wall, Balloon Pilot

January 22, 2024

Cameron Wall is the pilot of "Grandma's Legacy, a custom balloon with his Grandmother's underwater watercolor painting printed on the entirety of the balloon. In this month’s Inside the…


Inside the Basket - Michael Steward, remote control balloon pilot and assistant balloonmmeister for Fiesta de los Globitos

December 11, 2023

As Balloon Fiesta’s assistant balloonmeister for Fiesta de Los Globitos, Michael Steward helped to coordinate the safe launch of the remote controlled (RC) balloons during the 2023 Ballo…


Inside the Basket - Faith Taylor, Balloon Fiesta Guest

November 28, 2023

We welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests to Balloon Fiesta Park this year, some who were event veterans and others who were visiting us for the first time. It’s our hope that, whether…


Inside the Basket - Eldita Garcia, Balloon Fiesta Guest

October 27, 2023

Eldita Garcia was a first-time guesta at the 51st Balloon Fiesta. In this month’s Inside the Basket, she shares more about her experience, the memories that she made with her daughter a…


Inside the Basket - Joanne Sears, Balloon Fiesta Navigator

August 31, 2023

Joanne Sears is a first-year Balloon Fiesta Navigator who is helping answer guest questions at Balloon Fiesta’s front desk. In this month’s Inside the Basket, she provides insight…


Inside the Basket - Kevin Short, Balloon Fiesta Poster Artist

August 14, 2023

Kevin Short is the 2023 Balloon Fiesta poster artist. In this month’s Inside the Basket, he shares some of his unique ties to the event, a ballooning record that he holds himself and mor…


Inside the Basket - Eric Brower, Fiesta Sky Box Guest

July 19, 2023

Eric Brower works for a local construction company and used Fiesta Sky Boxes to celebrate his employees. In this month’s Inside the Basket, he shares more about his Fiesta Sky Box exper…


Inside the Basket - Keaton Collins, Camp 505 Director

June 23, 2023

Keaton Collins is the Camp Director of Balloon Fiesta’s new Camp 505. In this month’s Inside the Basket interview, he shares what Camp 505 guests can expect, what his role will be…


Inside the Basket - Rodney May, Balloon Fiesta Board of Director and Remote Control Balloon Pilot

May 16, 2023

Rodney May is on the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors, as well as a remote control balloon operator. In this month’s Inside the Basket, he gives a look at how he became introduced to th…


Inside the Basket - Tania Armenta, Balloon Fiesta Board Member

March 22, 2023

Tania Armenta is the President and CEO of Visit Albuquerque and one of Balloon Fiesta’s newest Board of Directors. In this month’s Inside the Basket, she shares more about how she…


Inside the Basket - Kari Harris, First-time Balloon Fiesta Guest

February 16, 2023

We welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests to Balloon Fiesta Park this year; some event veterans, others were visiting us for the first time. It’s our hope that whether new or returning…


Inside the Basket - Judith Nakamura, President, Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors

January 23, 2023

As a former chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court and longtime balloonist, Judith Nakamura, has a history with and strong commitment to New Mexico. In this month’s Inside the Bas…


Inside the Basket - Melissa Bond, Balloon Fiesta Safety Officer and Balloonmeister for Fiesta de Los Globitos

December 15, 2022

As Balloon Fiesta’s Safety Officer and Balloonmeister for Fiesta de Los Globitos, Melissa Bond helps to coordinate the safe launch of the remote controlled balloons during Balloon Fiesta…


Inside the Basket - Chani Kaibetoney, Balloon Fiesta Assistant Merchandise Manager

November 29, 2022

As Balloon Fiesta’s Assistant Merchandise Manager, Chani Kaibetoney helps to bring to life, the fun merchandise items that commemorate the event. In this month’s Inside the Basket,…


Inside the Basket - John Regan, Balloon Fiesta Guest

October 27, 2022

John Regan attended the 50th Balloon Fiesta with his wife, Sue Regan. In this month’s Inside the Basket, he shares how he came to attend this year’s event, his favorite part about…


Inside the Basket - Gavin Moughan, Balloon Fiesta Pilot

September 22, 2022

Gavin Moughan is a Balloon Fiesta pilot that will be in attendance at the 50th event and has been participating for the past 38 years. In this month’s Inside the Basket, he shares his fa…


Inside the Basket - Tarp Head, Balloon Fiesta Pilot

August 29, 2022

Tarp Head is a long-time balloon expert who has participated as a pilot, in Balloon Fiesta for the past 47 years. In this month’s Inside the Basket, Tarp shares more about how he found l…


Inside the Basket - Nola Schrum, Balloon Fiesta Navigator

July 14, 2022

Nola Schrum is a first-year Balloon Fiesta Navigator. In this month’s Inside the Basket, learn more about where you’ll find her during Balloon Fiesta and how she became involved. 1…


Inside the Basket - Sean Wallace, Balloon Fiesta Public Safety Director

June 27, 2022

Sean Wallace is Balloon Fiesta’s Public Safety Director. In this month’s Inside the Basket, he shares the most difficult part of his job, tips for safely attending Balloon Fiesta a…


Inside the Basket - Dave and Erin Bair, Balloon Fiesta Pilots

May 25, 2022

Dave and Erin Bair are a father-daughter duo who both pilot balloons at Balloon Fiesta. In fact, they have participated as pilots with Dave’s father and Erin’s grandfather, Ray Bai…


Inside the Basket - Samantha Greenwald, Balloon Fiesta Navigator Manager

April 21, 2022

Samantha Greenwald is Balloon Fiesta’s new Navigator Manager, joining the organization this month. In this month’s Inside the Basket, get to know Samantha’s ballooning backgr…


Inside the Basket - Tracey Hawkins, Balloon Fiesta Sponsorship Sales Assistant

March 10, 2022

As Balloon Fiesta’s Sponsorship Sales Assistant, Tracey Hawkins helps with a variety of tasks, including processing the contracts of sponsors and assisting with pin designs. In this mont…


Inside the Basket - Dave Reineke, Balloon Fiesta Pilot

February 22, 2022

Dave Reineke is a Balloon Fiesta pilot who has participated in the event the past 28 years. In this month’s Inside the Basket, he dives into what its like to pilot balloons with his wife…