| HomeCommunities Directory |  Ballooning in Albuquerque By Denise Simon The Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta or KAIBF, is the largest balloon rally and most photographed event in the world. It is nine days long and begins the first full weekend in October. This year, KAIBF takes place from October 7 to October 15. This year, there will be 650 balloons in attendance and more pilots as more than one pilot can register for a given balloon. Each weekend day, there is a mass ascension. This is when all 650 balloons fly together at one time. Balloons are launched in "waves". Typically 4 balloons share a launch site and take turns launching. The balloon in the first wave will lay out and start to fill with cold air. As soon as heat is applied and it stands up, the balloon in the second wave will be laid out and filled with cold air. The first wave balloon will launch and the second wave balloon will be heated until it stands up. The process is repeated until all balloons launch. There is no competition on the weekend days. During the week, there are competitive events. Monday through
Thursday, half the balloons launch from the field. They will try to navigate to targets
placed somewhere outside the field and drop bags of bird-seed as close to the center of a
target as possible. Pilots having bags within a certain distance of a target get points
for the competition. Once the balloons launching from the field are gone, the remaining
balloons are given permission to launch. While the field balloons are launching, they Friday is "Key Grab" day. All balloons find launch
spots away from the field. Once given permission to launch, they try to navigate to the
field. Placed in the center of the field are several poles containing money or keys. The
competition involves flying to a pole and grabbing whatever is All morning events begin at dawn with pilot briefings before flying. There are balloon glows the first Sunday and second Saturday. These events take place just after sunset. Balloons inflate and remain on the ground. The pilots then use their burners such that the balloons glow creating a colorful spectacle for the attending crowds. Thursday and Friday afternoon, there are "Special Shape Rodeos". These are where the special shaped balloons inflate on the field. If conditions are right, some may fly. As an attendee, you can either be a spectator or a crew
member. As a spectator, you find a spot on or off the field and watch as the balloons
populate the sky. Spectators are allowed onto the field so they can get an up-close
education as to what ballooning is all about. Most pilots and crew Spectators can purchase balloon rides. There is a booth on
the field where rides can be bought. Some of the premier rides are sold out prior to the
event. You can make reservations before Fiesta by calling World Balloon Corporation in
Albuquerque, the operator of the ride concession at Fiesta. To be a crew member, you contact the KAIBF office and tell
them you would like to crew for a balloon. They will send you an application. On the
application, you specify how many people are in your party and when you will be attending.
You will be assigned to a pilot. KAIBF sends you the There are parties and crew events throughout the week and as
a crew member, you will be asked No matter what role you take on, spectator or crew member, you are bound to have an experience you will never forget. World Balloon: (505) 293-6800 Denise is the pilot of "Hugs 'N Hotair" and would love people to come find me and say hello (there's a board on the field that shows the launch sites for all pilots).
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