Balloon Festival

I have to say this is an awesome trip.  I highly recommend going to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival.  We flew in Wednesday, went to the festival all day Thursday, and flew home on Friday.  

Notes about the trip: Don’t stay at the Best Western Comfort Suites, as the cabbie put it we were on the edge of the area affectionately called “the war zone.”  We were lucky that we booked a hotel close to a park and ride location, so we did not have to rent a $70.00 a day economy car which normally goes for $20.00 a day.  The park and ride was nice, I would do it again next time we go.  When looking for hotels, find one within walking distance of a park and ride pickup location.

Skip the “Dawn Patrol” it sounds like something neat, but all it is are 2 balloons going up and checking the weather.  Get there about 30 minutes before the morning launch and you will be just fine.  There are lots of places to get breakfast and they all seemed to be good, plan on eating there.  If you have small kids rent a stroller or wagon on site for $10.00, much easier than carrying them or bringing one on the park and ride bus. 

Don’t be shy.  We didn’t realize it at first, but you can go right out into the field as they are unloading and blowing up the balloons.  It is really cool being right next to one and watching it go from being unfolded to flight.  Some of the special shapes balloons have trading cards.  We missed out on this and ended up with only 2 because we didn’t know.  The ground crews love to talk to you, at least most do.  Feel free to go up to them and ask them questions, take pictures, etc.   Note: if you hear someone blowing a whistle, watch out it means that either a balloon is coming down or it is pulling someone holding a guide wire.

We chose a day when they have the special shapes balloons, these are cool to see and the kids really love them.  They said each day there are anywhere from 600-800 balloons in the air during each launch time.  Not all balloons launch from the field though.  Some launch from different parts of the city and then make there way to the field area. 

Thursday night they had the “Glowdeo” where the special shapes balloons stay on the ground and inflate and as it gets dark you can see them glow when they fire up the burners.  This is really cool and great times to get trading cards, talk to the crew, and see the balloons up close.  It is very crowded, and when you will hear whistles so watch out.  After the balloons deflated they had one of the best fireworks shows I have seen; second to the Disney world show, and mainly because it was not set to music.  When that was over we turned in the wagon and headed to our bus.  It makes for a full day, but very much worth the trip.