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InsideOut · 09-17-2002, 06:12 PM

Is anyone else planning on attending this colorful event?

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Here's the info from the WBCCI website...

Quote:

BALLOONS OVER REGION XI RALLY 10/4-10/8/02
Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Annual Region XI Rally will be held in Albuquerque, NM during the 31st Balloon Fiesta. In addition to the normal events associated with an Annual Region Rally, you will have the unique opportunity to explore the old ways of Native American Pueblo Culture and the latest in technology, i.e. the National Atomic Museum. We will have entertainment on four nights and two catered meals. There will be many self guided tours that you can take. Every morning there will be secluded Balloon events that you can take part in; Mass Ascension on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday. There will also be a Balloon Glow on Sunday evening. There are 200 parking sites with water and limited electricity. Register early to insure a place to call home during the fiesta. Your host the units and region officers of Region XI.

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Unit Installation Rally, State FG, Albuquerque, NM, I-40/Exit 163, S on Louisiana to Central Ave., Joe Turner 505-762-5519 or Andy Richers 505-275-4651

Shari

P.S. We'll post pictures when we get back!

InsideOut · 09-17-2002, 06:23 PM

Here's a hint of what's in store...

InsideOut · 04-05-2003, 05:54 PM

Well, I fianlly got around to finishing up my webpage of the Balloon Fiesta. I would encourage anybody who has not been to this to go sometime...it's a fabulous treat for the senses!

Shari

PeterH-350LE · 04-05-2003, 07:42 PM

What a treat! Excellent pictures! Looks like a great destination for a fall trip.
Did you use a 35mm?

InsideOut · 04-05-2003, 09:05 PM

Thanks Peter! The Balloon Fiesta is a wonderful experience...you won't be disappointed! Do try to go up in one of the balloons...it's really cool!!!

If you can't do that though...still go on the field...you being artististic...you'll love it!

The pictures were taken with my three year old Kodak DC280 Digital Camera. Unfortunately, it just stopped working two weeks ago

probably from overuse! It's a discontinued model and $200 to fix...bummer!

I just got my new camera last week a Minolta Dimage7...it seems like it's going to be great once I get to know it...but I really liked the little Kodak. All my website photos were taken with the Kodak except the Rocky Mountain News photos...

Shari

Tamara · 04-06-2003, 11:15 AM

Shari,
Great pictures from the Fiesta, thanks for sharing them. Having been in ballooning for 20 plus years and having a booth at the Fiesta for the past six years I can say that you picked a great year to attend as it was the best I have seen since we started going. Now that we have an A/S I would love to stop by the Rally, of course running a booth from 4am til 11pm everyday that might be kinda hard to manage :-)

I did see a few A/S camped at one of the large campgrounds near the field, so if people want an alternative to the rally at the Fairgrounds they can get a more up close view of the Balloon Fiesta by staying in one of the closer campgrounds and still get a little A/S comeraderie.

If anyone does attend next year be sure to stop by booth 123 and say hi! I don't get a chance to meet many fellow A/Streamers on the road so I'd love to chat with any who may be at the Fiesta. Oh, and don't forget to bring a camera or two, and tons of film if you don't have a digital! There is nothing like seeing 800 balloons in the air at once. (Kinda like seeing 800 A/S in one place??)

Glad you enjoyed your first flight Shari - it IS really fun isn't it??

InsideOut · 04-06-2003, 12:47 PM

Cool Tamara...if we go again next year, we'll have to look you up! We don't go every year...I also attended in 2000, but no ride that time. What is your involvement with the Fiesta, do you have a balloon? I would love to volunteer sometime at the Fiesta another year...

We stayed at the fairgrounds because that's where the WBCCI Regional Rally was held...and it was our first Regional Rally. I heard the campground right by the balloon park is super expensive during the fiesta...almost the price of a normal hotel room. Whatever, it'd be worth it...the fairground rally really wasn't very inviting.

Shari

Tamara · 04-06-2003, 02:07 PM

Shari,
We do have a balloon and fly passenger rides when at home in Indiana (isn't that a song??) but we have not yet taken our balloon to ABQ. We also operate a mail order catalog and website that offers all things balloon related. (www.intheair-online.com) So we go to ABQ to sell balloon souvenirs and to basically have a great time :-)

Hope to see you the next time you are out there! It is very pricey to stay at the nearby campgrounds, yes. But given the spectacular scenery of the balloons I suppose it is worth it!

Airstream25 · 12-04-2005, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Well, I fianlly got around to finishing up my webpage of the Balloon Fiesta. I would encourage anybody who has not been to this to go sometime...it's a fabulous treat for the senses!

Shari

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is a neat event. Loved all your great pictures, thanks for putting them up. I have been crewing for a local pilot for years. The pilot "pays" his crew with occasional rides!

Regarding having the rally at the Fairground which is far removed from the action, I think it would be better to have future rallies right at the RV parking area at the fiesta.

JStanley · 12-04-2005, 03:29 PM

Great collection of photos on your webpage! Been there last year- -it was great. We arrived about 4 a.m. on a cold clear morning to watch the night patrol and mass liftoff. If you haven't been there done that, I recommend finding time to attend sometime. Next time we'll spend more time in New Mexico- -now that we have an Airstream

eubank · 12-05-2005, 09:16 AM

If you want to go next year, it's a very good idea to make your reservations soonest! There are public parks around as well as private ones. There is also very nice RV parking right at the grounds, though the price is not cheap. I'll post some links below ...

Public and private camping:
http://www.newmexicorvparksandcampgrounds.org
Grounds:
http://www.aibf.org/

Lynn

klattu · 11-30-2006, 03:45 PM

Anyone going in 2007?
We are thinking about it...may already be too late.
May even try a spot in the 'President' section.

Would like to see photos of this area, and any tips or ideas.
I wide open to plans.

vonkamp · 11-30-2006, 03:54 PM

I have always wanted to go. Hmmm....

vonkamp · 11-30-2006, 04:03 PM

Just called http://www.enchantedtrails.com/page3.html . Have lots of open spaces. He said as long as you make reservations before April, you will be fine

klattu · 11-30-2006, 04:49 PM

Think about it...
Would be fun to caravan out there.
Notice that getting up at 4am to see the ballons each morning may get old...
So, I may stay on the site, would be easier to just step outside to watch.

Will not be doing this many times in my life, so am saving up.

This is a rough draft of Ballon 'loop'...
Am open to adjustments.

**moosetags** · 11-30-2006, 07:16 PM

We have always had an interest in going, also. How pricey is the on-site camping?

klattu · 11-30-2006, 08:02 PM

Sky hi....

$125 a nite at the President

Many others for less.

**moosetags** · 11-30-2006, 09:22 PM

$125 a night is high, but like you said, how many times in your life are you going to do this.

Do you know what the dates are for 2007? We might have a conflict. SuEllyn's Dad is going celebrate his 90th Birthday in Jacksonville on October 7th. If '07 doesn't work for us, we will plan for '08.

klattu · 11-30-2006, 09:48 PM

Bring him along!

That is at the beginning.
The whole second week of October 5~14.
http://www.aibf.org/

If I understand correctly,
Most everyday is a repeat.
A few special events throughout.
The race begins at the end.

Am thinking about getting there fast,
Stay for 3 days,
And returning thru San Antonio at a slower pace,
Exploring along the way back.

Condoluminum · 11-30-2006, 09:56 PM

Up until several years ago, one of the WBCCI units used to organize a Hot Air Balloon Festival Rally, but it got to be way too much work and was dropped.. It was heavily organized, with meals and daily activities laid out for each day. I'd love to get to ABQ Festival also, and if you can get in and out of on-site campground for less than the entire 8 days, it would be worth the price for a couple nights, though southern campground (a little further away from launch points) might be cheaper... Maybe this could be another "Four Corners" Unit/Forum Rally, where organization is limited to spelling out parking options and contact points, and making recommendations. Add a potluck, and a "happy Hour" and we'd have a rally...