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“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… More
Posted 7:30 AM MDT (1330z) In the past few minutes, two of the US teams have reported safe landings to the Command Center. Team 9, Cheri White and Mark Sullivan, landed near Hossmann, MN, we… More
Hall of Fame Bios 2000
...involved in the Balloon Fiesta as a pilot, official,
and an AIBF Board Member in 1988-89. She produced and edited the Balloon Fiesta pilot safety briefing video from 1982-89, has been the primary writer and editor of the annual program
since 2003 and has been the media liaison for the America’s Challenge Race since 2002. She is a co-author of three books about the Balloon Fiesta: “The World Comes to
Albuquerque” (2011), “Albuquerque... More
Posted 11 PM MDT (0500z) We are pleased to share with you official results for the 23rd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta America's Challenge distance race for gas balloons. These resu… More
Posted 10:30 PM MDT (0430z) The results of the 23rd America’s Challenge race for gas balloons are now final and confirm what everyone already knew: Andy Cayton of the US and Krzysztof… More
FAQs: Americas Challenge
...referred to as “ballast,” usually in the form of sand which is carried in bags hung on the side of the basket or water carried in gallon jugs.
Since ballast is essential for maneuvering and especially landing, there are essentially two “consumables” that affect the amount of time a gas balloon can stay aloft and –
indirectly – the distance it can travel: gas and ballast. The pilots that do the best job of... More
Who are the men and women who will take on one of the greatest challenges in aerostation? Andy Cayton, USA and Krzysztof Zapart, Poland: In the last America’s Challenge, this team did… More
Posted 12:00 PM MDT (1800z) The Command Center has just received word that the race leaders, Benoit Pelard and Benoit Peterle of France (Team 7), have executed a safe landing east of Atikokan… More
Posted 4:45 PM MDT (2045z) And then there was one. French competitors Eric Decellieres and Vincent Leys (Team 2) reported their safe landing to the America's Challenge Command Center. They ar… More
Heritage Honorees
...that was produced, printed and distributed daily until the Internet came along. Charlotte now serves on the Heritage Committee
working to preserve the history of Balloon Fiesta. She also still contributes articles to the Balloon Fiesta program and was one of seven co-editors of the
award-winning book, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Charlotte is also the daughter of Harry Kinney, former mayor of Albuquerque, himself a key figure in the
heritage of the... More
FAQs: Pilots
...during your stay upon checkout.
C) All hotel reservations must be made through the AIBF Pilot Coordinator and all RV site reservations must be made through the AIBF RV Manager.
D) Alternate Housing Program: Balloon Fiesta will provide $1,300 each to 100 eligible pilots who choose to secure their own housing/accommodations for Balloon Fiesta and not use the
Balloon Fiesta booking sites to secure their hotel room. The first 100 pilots to indicate... More
Americas Challenge 2019 Teams
...the sport.
Noah has a distinguished record in both balloons and airplanes, but is relatively new to gas ballooning. He got his gas balloon rating in February 2016 through the Aero Club of
America’s program, and later that year flew in his first America’s Challenge with Bert Padelt as a last-minute replacement. He so enjoyed the experience that he bought a larger
gas balloon and is well on his way to being a leader in the gas... More
1:00pm, 221 Homeland Road NW, Albuquerque 87114 – Media availability for an “X” marks the spot demonstration! The program and demonstration is sponsored by the Albuquerque H… More
Lynn Tillery is a Launch Director at Balloon Fiesta who has been involved with the event since 1982. In this month’s Inside the Basket, she walks us through a typical Balloon Fiesta day… More
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… More
Hall of Fame Bios
...to the City for help after the 1974
Fiesta. They realized that an event as big as Balloon Fiesta required more than the available private financing. It needed a better launch location further from the airport with more
available landing spots, the dates were not ideal, and issues such as parking, traffic control, and field maintenance needed attention. It was clear that if Albuquerque did not host this
event another city would jump at the chance. Mayor Harry Kinney... More
Albuquerque, NM - The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, will launch from Balloon Fiesta Park, October 4-12, 2025. The 53rd event will feature more than 500 hot air ball… More
Concierge Program
Concierge Program
...
For the ultimate VIP experience, you can arrange for your own concierge to be your tour guide while at the Balloon Fiesta. You will experience the event from
all angles of the launch field. You can shop at our many concessions, watch the chainsaw carvers, visit the Artisans Tent and Balloon Discovery Center, and check out everything Balloon Fiesta
has to offer. You will have an insider's view of this spectacular event. This service is perfect for... More
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Tom Garrity, Director of Media Relations (505)898-8689
Event Theme: Carry Me Away
Final Numbers: Following are the official numbers for the 47th Albu… More
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… More
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… More
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF) Heritage Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and long-time contributions to Balloon Fiesta through preservation of AIBF c… More
Thank you for all who were able to attend the 10:30am news briefing today. Ty Young, President of the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors; Paul Smith, Executive Director; and Sam Parks, Director… More
Congratulations to Switzerland’s Laurent Sciboz and Nicolas Tieche, the 2017 America’s Challenge champions, who are the apparent victors in the just completed Coupe Aeronautique Go… More
Posted 8:00 PM (1500z) It has been a quiet, routine day in the America’s Challenge Command Center, which usually means it has also been a routine day – as routine as it gets in a g… More
Posted 9:45 PM MDT (0345z) The Command Center has just received word that Team 6, Americans Al Nels and Andy Baird, have made a safe nighttime landing near Superior, Nebraska, just north of th… More
Posted 5:45 AM MDT (1145z) The Command Center confirms that Team 8, Christian Wagner and Thomas Lewetz of Austria, have landed safely near Wheaton MN, close to the border with South Dakota.… More
Posted: 8:30 AM MDT (1430z) In 2014, Poland’s Krzysztof Zapart, a jovial newcomer to gas ballooning, flew in his first America’s Challenge and impressed in his debut by finishing s… More
Dawn Patrol
...Dawn Patrol began at Balloon Fiesta in 1978, when two California balloonists developed position lighting systems that allowed them to fly at night. Dawn Patrol pilots take off in the dark
and fly until it is light enough to see landing sites. Fellow balloonists appreciate the Dawn Patrol because they can watch the balloons and get an early idea of wind speeds and directions at
different altitudes. On mass ascension days, about a dozen Dawn Patrol balloons perform the... More
Team Fastrax
Team Fastrax™ is the largest professional parachute demonstration team in the world. The team roster has more than forty active members with a culmination of more than 175,000 skydives.
A Team Fastrax™ demonstration skydive typically consists of multiple members exiting one of our aircraft over a large crowd such as an airshow or major sporting event and descending to
a precise landing, thrilling the spectators.
More
Denise Winn is a Balloon Fiesta Navigator who has been involved with the event since 1986. In this month’s Inside the Basket, Denise explains how volunteering at Balloon Fiesta has crea… More
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… More
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… More
Gordon Bennett
...2005 when Bob Berben and Benoit Simeons broke the distance record, their flight time was 64.39 hours.
Stick ‘em up!
Several Gordon Bennett teams have had to explain themselves to the local gendarmes upon landing, including the Leys brothers in 2003. After flying nearly 70 hours -- including
2½ days over the Atlantic Ocean -- they landed at Zambujeira do Mar in Portugal, only to be arrested. (They won the race... More
Adventure seekers travel from across the world to attend Balloon Fiesta. In this month’s Inside the Basket interview, we hear from pilot Andrew Strang and his team at Sky Adventures, who… More
There will be 106 Special Shapes balloons flying in the 52nd event, and 16 making their Balloon Fiesta debut this year! In this month’s Inside the Basket, get to know pilot Alain Bard fr… More
Each year, Balloon Fiesta welcomes and works with members of the media during the event from all media platforms including broadcast, print, photography and digital media. These members embark… More
Purchase Tickets
...evening events scheduled for these dates
• 10/9 to 10/12
For additional details, please visit the Camp 505 page.
...
Concierge Program
For the ultimate VIP experience you can arrange for your own concierge to be your tour guide while at the Balloon Fiesta. You will experience
the event from all angles of the launch field.
Your... More
Ambassadors
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta announces the AIBF Ambassador Program. Balloon Fiesta will provide your group, school, organization or event with a Balloon Fiesta
aficionado to talk about any of the many facets of this event and its fascinating history and detail.
...
#BALLOONFIESTA
LATEST NEWS
... More
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… More
Albuquerque, NM -The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® will launch from Balloon Fiesta Park, October 3-11, 2020. The 49th annual event, themed “Time Flies,” will featur… More
ExxonMobil Day will include Popular Mass Ascension, Annular Solar Eclipse “Ring of Fire” viewing, Music Fiesta, Balloon Glow and More FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tom Garrity, Th… More
ExxonMobil Day will include Popular Mass Ascension, Annular Solar Eclipse “Ring of Fire” viewing, Music Fiesta, Balloon Glow and More FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tom Garrity, Th… More
ExxonMobil Day will include Popular Mass Ascension, Annular Solar Eclipse “Ring of Fire” viewing, Music Fiesta, Balloon Glow and More FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tom Garrity, Th… More
Volunteers-AIBF
...Receive
...
- Photo credential with lanyard
- Balloon Fiesta Uniform Package: 1 Navigator short sleeve t-shirt, 1 Navigator long sleeve t-shirt, Navigator jacket, Navigator pin
- Souvenir Balloon Fiesta program
- Balloon Fiesta Calendar
- 9-Day Admission Pass which allows entrance to Balloon Fiesta for the entire event
- Free parking in the "W" lot designated for Volunteers for sessions you are scheduled to... More
Through their #ABQAloft involvement Bruce Lavorgna and his #BalloonFiesta crew have shared nearly $3,000 worth of food and clothing with La Mesa Elementary School families. Today they are dona… More
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… More
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… More
Rick Bowles has been a longtime Balloon Fiesta volunteer. After his 42nd year volunteering, he is retiring. In this month’s Inside the Basket, Rick shares how he became involved with thi… More
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… More
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… More
“Picture Perfect” Launches October 5-13, 2019 Contact: Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group | 505.898.8689, media@balloonfiesta.com Albuquerque, NM -The Albuquerque International Balloon… More
Balloon Fiesta’s RV and Navigator Manager, Jennifer Schurman helps create a memorable experience for RV guests and Balloon Fiesta volunteers during the event. In this month’s Insi… More
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Announces Pricing for 49th Event “Time Flies” Launches October 3-11, 2020 For Immediate Release Contact: Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group | 5… More
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… More
Photo Contest 2017
...Games and 2 World
Alpine Ski Championships. An Avid, Apple and Adobe certified instructor, he is currently the Post Production Supervisor and Adjunct Professor for the Columbia University Graduate Film
Program and is a member of the sonic art collective Kinokophone.
Toni Paulson - Born into a family of balloonists, Toni has been around hot air balloons her entire life and had the opportunity... More
Special Shape Rodeo
...the most popular event at the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®. Since the Balloon Fiesta started the Special
Shape Rodeo in 1989, many events around the world have now added some kind of special shape event to their program.
...
The first Special Shape Rodeo balloons launched on Thursday and Friday afternoons and were lucky enough to fly both days. This event was such a success that it created major traffic jams and
produced huge crowds. Twenty-eight... More
New initiative engages New Mexico educators and students in the science of ballooning during the 52nd annual event, featuring interactive activities and educational resources Albuquerque, NM… More
Poster Archive
...of the posters from ProCreations, have included a roadrunner somewhere in the image. While some are obvious, others are cleverly hidden.
If you'd like to read more about the AIBF posters, check out the 2015 Official Program for an article by Ty
Young. (It starts on page 106.)
If you'd like to submit artwork to be considered for the official poster, check out the call for artwork.
The 2025 submission window closes on December 15... More
FAQs: Volunteering
...event, access to the Navigator Hospitality Tent for snacks and
beverages, invitations to a variety of Balloon Fiesta parties, two of the current year's Navigator shirt, the current year's Navigator pin, the current year's program and calendar, and the
current year's Navigator Jacket.
...
When do I pick up my Navigator Uniform Pack?
...
There will be several distribution days to pick up your Uniform Pack. Approximately a week or two... More
Albuquerque, NM – Tickets for the 2025 ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® will be available for purchase Friday, April 4. Several ticket options will be available t… More
