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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…
Inside the Basket - Al Tetreault, Balloon Fiesta Board President
January 14, 2022
Al Tetreault has been a Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors member since 1991, and is Balloon Fiesta’s Board of Directors’ newly elected President. In this month’s Inside the B…
Inside the Basket - Eric Hodges, Balloon Fiesta Pilot
December 10, 2021
Eric Hodges is a pilot who has been flying at Balloon Fiesta for 35 years. In this month’s Inside the Basket, Eric shares how he once was the youngest pilot at Balloon Fiesta, his favor…
Inside the Basket - Taylor Caldwell, Balloon Fiesta Receptionist
November 18, 2021
Taylor Caldwell has been a part of the Albuquerque ballooning community since she was a child. And now, she has just wrapped up her first Balloon Fiesta as the organization’s receptionis…
Inside the Basket - Sara Lopez, First-Time Balloon Fiesta Guest
October 22, 2021
Sara Lopez was a first-time Balloon Fiesta guest at the 49th event.. In this month’s Inside the Basket, Sara talks more about her Balloon Fiesta experience and what it meant to share…
Inside the Basket - Amanda Brady, Balloon Fiesta Transportation Manager
September 27, 2021
Amanda Brady is Balloon Fiesta’s Transportation Manager. In this month’s Inside the Basket, Amanda shares her favorite tips on how to get to Balloon Fiesta Park. 1. Give a brie…
Inside the Basket - Michael Glen, Balloon Fiesta Pilot
August 24, 2021
Michael Glen is the first parapalegic pilot. He pilots Joelly Bee, a special shape balloon in the the famous bee trio. In this month’s Inside the Basket, Michael shares more about hi…
