Balloon Fiesta Announces Landowner Recognition Program

“X Marks the Spot” Rewards ABQ Locals who Offer Landing Sites

Media Contact: Tom Garrity, media@balloonfiesta.com

Albuquerque – With less than a month before the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta begins, officials of the nine-day event have announced a new program which will give local landowners who allow balloonists to land balloons on their property a chance to win local gifts and gift certificates to local businesses.

Sponsored by the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, X Marks the Spot, is geared at engaging locals who are excited about the idea of balloons landing on or near their property. Additional details about the program include:

Pilots will carry cards with them and upon landing their balloon will gather information from the participating landowner or if the landowner isn’t available, the pilot will gather information about the property. Once flights conclude each day, pilots will turn in their cards and Balloon Fiesta officials will draw a winner.
One winner will be recognized as “landowner of the day” at the end of each day’s flying events. That landowner will receive a prize.
There will also be a grand prize winner drawn at the end of Balloon Fiesta. This winner will be chosen from all cards collected over the nine days and awarded a staycation in Taos, NM.
All prizes have been sponsored by the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I let balloonists know they have permission to land on my property?
Simply display a white bed sheet or a white “X” on your property. For your convenience, you can obtain a white “X” from the Hispano Chamber or call the Balloon Fiesta to pick up a white sheet.

How do I know if I have enough open property for a balloon to safely land?
The amount of land necessary for a balloon landing depends on the wind speed and the size of the balloon. In general, on a relatively calm day each balloon will need at least ½ acre of land without trees, power lines or other obstacles on it.

What should I do if a balloon lands on or near my property?
The best part of having a balloon land near your home or business is getting to see a balloon and crew in action. Landowners and locals should feel free to greet balloonists and their crew. Some landowners even have welcome treats –or hot coffee-waiting for balloon crews.

About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta presented by Canon is an annual festival of hot air balloons that takes place every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit our website, follow us on Twitter @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.