Photo Contest 2021

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Numerous colorful hot air balloons ascend into a vibrant, clear sky during sunrise or sunset, creating a serene and picturesque scene.

Congratulations to the winners of the
2021 Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest

Grand Prize Winner

1st Place
Andrea Gerstenberger
Aurora, CO

Kids Winners

Click each thumbnail to see a greater detail photo

1st place
Leah Juarez
Albuquerque, NM

Child looking out of balloon basket

2nd place
Amy Armbruster
Albuquerque, NM

A child smiling in a grassy field surrounded by numerous colorful hot air balloons in the sky, creating a lively, festive atmosphere.

3rd place
Amber Binford
Hartford, CT

Child in field of balloons

Mass Ascension Winners

1st place
Elbert Chen
Las Vegas, NV

Two people stand together watching colorful hot air balloons in the sky, embracing under a cloudy blue sky.

2nd place
Kimberly Wickham
Round Rock, TX

Balloons inflating

3rd place
Ken Duckert
Corrales, NM

Numerous colorful hot air balloons soar in a cloudy sky, creating a vibrant and lively scene with no visible landmarks or buildings.

Dawn Patrol/Balloon Glow Winners

1st place
Scott Morrison
Bowerston, OH

Balloons flying over city at night

2nd place
Angela K Jones
French Lick, IN

Three faced jester balloon

3rd place
Deborah Morrison
Bowerston, OH

A red and black hot air balloon rises against a dark night sky, with the crescent moon visible in the background.

Special Shape Rodeo Winners

1st place
Dori Eldridge
Naperville, IL

Star wars balloons flying

2nd place
Debra Morrison
Bowerston, OH

Cow, Taz, and frog balloons

3rd place
Dana Ziegler
Albuquerque, NM

Vibrant scene of colorful hot air balloons, including heart and dino shapes, floating against a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds.

AfterGlow Fireworks Winners

1st place
James Sears
Albuquerque, NM

Fireworks

2nd place
Barry Howell
Lino Lakes, MN

Black and white photo of fireworks

3rd place
Cathy Brockman
Evanston, WY

Couple kissing in front of fireworks

About Cindy Petrehn

Cindy Petrehn was born in Clinton, Iowa, and grew up surrounded by her sister and nine brothers in Kansas City. Cindy obtained a fine arts degree at Pittsburgh State University and it was there her passion for photography began. To her, photography was “capturing the light in a moment of time and space. We may never pass this way again … or so the song goes. It is a passion and an obsession.”

In 1978, Cindy moved to Vail, Colorado and spent many years capturing intriguing images of people, events, nature and anything that caught her creative eye. She climbed mountains and traveled the world to find her next great shot.

Cindy was also licensed hot air balloon pilot, the official photographer for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, and a member of Women in Aviation and The Balloon Federation of America. Cindy was a beloved member and integral part of the Hot Air Ballooning community.

Through her photography, Cindy shared the beauty of the world, ballooning and the open skies with all. Cindy passed away on February 10, 2013 unexpectedly. She has finally found the great adventure she has been searching for and is in the most beautiful hot air balloon, taking the most amazing photographs.

Cindy Petrehn