Wow.. It is incredible to see hundreds of kaleidoscope colored giant balloons flying overhead with only the subtle churn of the propane torches which power them.
This was a take-two for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fest for us because our 2022 attempt was quashed when we got Covid.
But we were here now and joined up with the Escapees RV group who had planned a 10 Day event for experiencing this extravaganza. They have been doing this for many years and have and have a sister group called the Escapers who are tasked to crew on balloon teams that come from all over the world.
Seems like there is always a need for crew volunteers. Ballooning requires a few bodies to send off and retrieve from wherever it is that the massive amount of fabric comes down – the team is on the move when the balloon is in the air.
We just joined the Escapees RV group two weeks prior, and given the nature of ballooning, it is best to plan multiple days if you really want the experience because the weather can ground the whole event. We had heard the sad accounts of when no balloons went up for the entire event because of wind and rain. This happened on the beautiful but too much forecasted wind on the first morning, but the balloons inflated anyway for a colorful show.
They run a tight safety ship in which the ten Dawn Patrol balloons are allowed to ascend when weather is acceptable. They then test the waters, I mean air, and give the thumbs up to the Mass Ascension. We were so lucky and only one morning got nixed for wind.
Although on one morning, there was quite a struggle with the Rainbow Riders Balloon which is especially huge since it held ten bucket list paying customers.
It was very exciting as the huge balloons were rolling back and forth over the pedestrian cement walkways.
Ballooning starts at about 4am when the school buses start rolling through the ½ mile long parking lot to pick up crew to take to the balloon field. At 6am our group had a hot catered breakfast under a very secure Escapee event style tent that would protect us from the elements, well not goat heads, as the minute the soft sneaker or flip flop soul is down they are filled and the stems break off in them. Either hard soles or throw away sneakers are best as this is just a dirt parking lot.
The event buses roll all morning bringing people to the field for the Dawn Patrol where they can experience the first glowing ten balloons ascending into the pre-dawn dark skies. It is magical to see the massive glowing structures take to the sky and you can be right at their take-off spot.
If you had gotten there early, there is quite the drone show sponsored by Sandia Casino – there’s always money in gambling.
When Dawn Patrol gives the okay, the flurry begins. On the ground the sound of powerful fans are buzzing to get the air flowing and then begins the Gggrrrush of the propane jets which shoot color into the inflating fabric. Black and white striped referees run around helping to clear people from a field area so that new balloons may be spread out for inflation as the first ones rise. After the sky is filing and you think each new balloon rising should be the last, then you look on the field and more and more are being inflated.
There is a sense of calm awe on the ground as other spectators look in wonder to the massive ascending balloons. You can walk the field which is also probably ½ mile long and quartered off in letter/number squares for what appears to be organization, but for first timers are gaping wonderment as we look all around you at the peaceful giants.
Some of the balloons are giant creatures like cows, cats, penguins, and chickens
cartoon characters like spider pig
And yes, pigs do fly.
Advertisements like Duke Cement (this giant went up almost everyday) and Meow Wolf
organizations like Autism, Hospitals and Veterans – countries like Great Britain and the US – So many creative expressions floating in the air.
It was really an incredible experience. By about 9am most all the balloons are floating away.
The valley in Albuquerque has a phenomenon known as “The Box” where at one height the direction of the wind changes so that balloons return to the area from which they launched.
Of course this doesn’t happen all the time and many land far away for their crews to retrieve.
We thought we had our awe experience on our first day of the Mass Ascension, but then awoke and opened up the van door to see balloons floating over our heads, so peacefully, so majestically, some coming down so close where you could see the faces of their basket riders.
Some like the tiger head appeared to land right in the middle of clearing on the dirt roads between RVs.
Some landed right in the field of dirt and tumble weed bushes that bordered our group site as our members rushed to help the landing balloon pilot. Great Britain landed right in front of us and the pilot opted to keep the balloon inflated until his crew came with the tarps to protect from the dirt and stickers of the terrain.
Humpty Dumpty fell right into the RV lot.
Wow, on weekends there was a synchronised balloon glow in the evening, but never ascension on the field at night.
This was followed by flaming hang gliders which also was impressive although a bit far-off.
The Incredible Sandia Casino Drone show followed, which is certainly an amazing display of artistry as images of ballooning and New Mexico folded into each other;
The morning version drone show was done as people gathered for Dawn Patrol with images of breakfast and coffee to the mix of ballooning and New Mexico, always something to hear and see while waiting, even a bit of Vinny VanGo. (Just google Travels with Vinny VanGo, my Blog)
Then came the weekend fireworks show – again incredible. Sensory overload. We were lucky to have such good weather for most of the days, but unfortunately on the first day of Shapes they were not allowed to ascend due to wind.
There was inflation of all the creative beings from a Farmhouse to Darth Vader (he evidently has been retired from the air). It was fun to walk around on the free children’s day to see them. My favorites were the Portuguese Parrots who were so colorful and went up most days.
I had so many great videos/photos to remember this by and decided the only way to keep it organized was by making several theme movies of this awesome event. These movies will need a minute to download so be patient
Rainbow Rough Riders (5 minutes) – most days are not like this !
Balloon Fiesta RV camping Logistics (no more photos)
We were so happy to have met up with the Escapees Group and gotten to experience the Balloon Fest with them. Mother Nature is in charge of ballooning and especially at this huge international festival where accidents are not tolerated. This is especially true when $1000 plus per couple to float up there with the Rainbow Riders (only commercially available rides) for an hour – keep the bucketlisters safe – we heard it is about half the price at most other times. This multiple day event and Mother Nature’s good temperament allowed us to have an incredibly rich International Balloon Fest experience.
The sister Escapers group (generally they have activities during the evening as many are often employed) is a less expensive route, but they don’t usually offer a tent and meals like our Escapees HOP(Head Out Program) enjoyed. We did share a couple of music evenings together in our Escapee Tent which include chairs and round tables. This is important, especially if Mother Nature would be screaming, and plus we had great friendly guidance from our hosts, Donna and Donna Gavin and Co-Hosts Robyn, Larry, Char and Dean. Not only was this a place to gather for breakfasts and dinners, but it is a place for fellowship, cards and entertainment without weather concerns. They also knew of things to do like free senior train fare on Wednesdays to Santa Fe or a docent museum tour at the local Albuquerque museum. They served us breakfast every morning and were so wonderful. Thank You Thank You.
The RV camping experience is boondocking in a dirt parking lot with lots of goat heads. Soft sole shoes will be filled with broken off spikes, and don’t dare step into the rig without taking off shoes. The doggies were so cute with their little booties. We had our own dedicated pot-a-potty tery too. Generators were whirring, but we managed almost a whole week on our solar panels and a bit of driving. You can arrange for a portable dump and/or water re-fill to be brought right to your site, of course Vinny can drive away and take care of that business without the $40 per service being charged.
Buses started up promptly at 4am to gather crew and stopped toward late morning when basically the day is on pause until they resume for the Evening Glow. The weekend evenings have the Drone Shows and Fireworks. If there is a thunderstorm, the buses must legally stop, so this is not quite optimal for the hundreds that are stuck waiting at the overcrowded easy-ups; in that case best to walk the mile back to camp.
Evidently if you are on a crew team, sometimes you are offered a ride for free, but no guarantee. Crewing is always a possibility and our group ran into the adjoining fields many times to help in the landing; we had a primo spot to do so, and that was part of our incredible experience. But if you want to be an official crew member you need to get the training the day before the festival starts. Most likely you are up every morning for the Mass Ascension that could end up getting cancelled at the last minute due to weather. It certainly is a commitment, and an organizer woman came to our group to recruit for next year.
Loving our new involvement with Escapees. Maybe the Rose Parade next year!
Travels with Vinny VanGo 