Global Celebrations: Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta

Kicking off the month of October on the right foot is no difficult task as this first weekend was marked by a nationwide celebration epidemic. From America’s Cup in San Francisco to New York City’s Columbus Day Parade, people left work on Friday ready to get their three-day party on. Us included. Life is tough!

With a wide selection to choose from, this week’s TTC festival favorite is a nine-day vision straight out of a children’s storybook. Photographers, painters, and mixed-media moguls near Albequerque, New Mexico, grab your gizmos and head over to Balloon Fiesta Park for a truly spectacular sight.

Attracting attendees from all over the world, the Albequerque International Balloon Fiesta is a congregation of nearly 750 hot air balloons, making it the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. In addition to the Mass Ascension, during which all balloons launch simultaneously, festival-goers flock to the Special Shape Rodeo, a lift off of uniquely shaped balloons, and the Balloon Glow, when fields of enormous inflatable are illuminated at night by propane burners.

Native to New Mexican culture since 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is what we like to call aerial art at it’s best. For a sneak preview of this sky carnival, enjoy the following photos and add the AIBF to your future calendar of fun.