Albuquerque balloon festival

[wkerfoot]

Subfan,

If our registration is received in time, we are attending the rally this year. We travel I40 to Albuquerque, with a overnight in Williams at the Grand Canyon Train RV Park the first night and then Enchanted Trails in Albuquerque the second night.

Bill

Originally Posted by subfan1

Thanks Ken our registration form went out in the mail today.
Pat, any recommendations in terms of route and where you might recommend staying? Coming for Ca as well, I know you are in N Ca

[subfan1]

Thanks for the information wkerfoot. Do you think we should make reservations at these places?

[DougEW]

I'm interested in going, it would be my first time so bare with me, I notice the schedule has you leaving on Tuesday but the festival goes on until Sunday is it more of the same or what? I plan on mailing out the registration in the morning if you have a space open?
Thanks
DougW

[PKI]

[QUOTE=DougEW;2062381] -- snip -- but the festival goes on until Sunday is it more of the same or what? -- snip -- /QUOTE]

No, not all same. Believe this year, there was a special animal form balloon fly on Thursday, that some folks wanted to stay and see. There is additional cost to extend your stay.

What you will see on a daily basis is very weather dependent. A windy day will be a bad day to fly, because the balloons can not stay in the event area. A good flying day allows the balloons to gain and lose altitude to do the Albuquerque box flight pattern. That condition is unique to the area and requires the wind to have a different direction of flight at each level.

There are competitions which require precision flying. Those events may or may not be possible to hold if the wind is not cooperating.

Hope you enjoy the event. Pat

[DougEW]

Thanks, it's on my bucket list but we have to be in Atlanta by Oct 14th so we would have to cut out early anyway. You never know though we can always go back in 19 to see the other half. Pics are great.
DougW

[wkerfoot]

Definitely at Enchanted Trails, tell them that you are with the Airstream Balloon Fiesta Rally. Wouldn't hurt at Grand Canyon.

Bill

Originally Posted by subfan1

Thanks for the information wkerfoot. Do you think we should make reservations at these places?

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Ken J

Yup - finalizing plans for 2018 - watch the balloon rally FB page or log on to our website - registration will be opening this month balloonfiestarally.whcci.net

Will you be starting a new thread here for 2018?

Main site FYI: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/event-info/event-schedule

October 6-14.

RV Info: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/rv-information

. . . which contains this statement: "The waitlist is closed, due to the current number of people waiting exceeding 800. Reservations open for 2019 on October 23, 2018."

Is the 2018 festival RV parking closed already?

[Ken J]

Sounds like it is through the fiesta site - but not with us


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[DougEW]

Mailed in the registration so the checks in the mail.
DougW

[luforia]

[QUOTE=PKI;2062419]

Originally Posted by DougEW

-- snip -- but the festival goes on until Sunday is it more of the same or what? -- snip -- /QUOTE]

No, not all same. Believe this year, there was a special animal form balloon fly on Thursday, that some folks wanted to stay and see. There is additional cost to extend your stay.

What you will see on a daily basis is very weather dependent. A windy day will be a bad day to fly, because the balloons can not stay in the event area. A good flying day allows the balloons to gain and lose altitude to do the Albuquerque box flight pattern. That condition is unique to the area and requires the wind to have a different direction of flight at each level.

There are competitions which require precision flying. Those events may or may not be possible to hold if the wind is not cooperating.

Hope you enjoy the event. Pat

Pat, for people that wants to stay longer, do they pay extra to stay in the same area or move elsewhere? And who do you ask to request the extension? Thanks.

[PKI]

Originally Posted by luforia

-- snip -- And who do you ask to request the extension? Thanks.

Hopefully Ken may post an answer to your questions.

I do not have specific info, only assumptions. The Fiesta folks are certainly the contact to arange for an extended stay and a reservation is always prudent. Believe the link below is the contact you need. Sites are VIP West, but confirm that. You should be able to stay as spotted by the AS group, but may want to move if there is an opportunity to get a better location on the lot. Pat

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/rv-information

[Ken J]

Yes you can stay longer - as mentioned above you will need to contact the balloonfiesta folks - however they will move you from your spot as they have other groups coming in after us


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