Over the years, I have attended the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and showcased my experience watching the balloons. I have also shared what to do at the Balloon Fiesta beyond the balloons and the best way to get to the Balloon Fiesta.
This year, I am sharing a part of the Balloon Fiesta that few people get to experience. This is the experience of taking a ride in a hot air balloon.
Experiencing a Balloon Ride at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
There are people who love looking at the colorful hot air balloons, and they are content with that experience from attending the Balloon Fiesta. Then some people watch the balloons float in the sky and have a deep desire to take a ride in a hot air balloon.
Which one of the people do you relate to?
I have no desire to go up into the sky in a hot air balloon. As a person on the media team of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, I have the opportunity to have a balloon ride during the Balloon Fiesta, but I never go on a balloon ride, as I am afraid of heights.
My husband calls me crazy for not experiencing a balloon ride, as he went up in a balloon many years ago and loved it.
So this year, my husband decided to come to the balloon fiesta with me this year. If you are wondering why he has never attended the balloon fiesta with me in previous years, it is due to him working at the event.
My husband works for the health department and usually inspects the food tents at the event. This is the first year he did not have to work at the event. So I was excited that he could be my media partner.
My husband said yes to a balloon ride
Since I was not using the balloon ride, I offered the balloon ride to my husband. He was so excited to go up in a balloon.
I finally had the chance to document the experience of a balloon ride. Of course, my experience would be from the ground, looking up.
The day of the balloon ride
The morning of the balloon ride started very early in the morning at 4 AM, driving to the event of over 500 hot air balloons. We arrived at 5 AM and headed to the media tent to get my husband on the balloon ride sign-up sheet.
After eating breakfast, they called my husband’s name. We went up to the table, and we were introduced to the pilot of the balloon. We then followed her onto the field of the hot air balloons.
The hot air balloon needed to be set up. It was cool to see the balloon crew unload the basket from the pickup truck, as well as the balloon envelope, the propane tanks, and the big fan.
It was a lengthy process for the crew to set up the hot air balloon, but I was excited to be up close seeing how it was done. My husband was happy to help the crew set up the balloon.
Time to go on a balloon ride
At the Balloon Fiesta, the balloons go up in waves, so there is not a traffic jam in the sky with over 500 hot air balloons. The pilot was given the command to take off. It was exciting to see my husband go up into the sky. Go here to see the video of the balloon ride
While my husband was up in the sky, enjoying his balloon ride, I walked the field and looked at all the colorful balloons. Today was special shapes day, and I enjoyed looking at the balloons.
So many balloons to see
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is a must-see event. This is an up-close hot air balloon event. Not only do you get to see the hot air balloons float up in the sky, but you have the opportunity to walk on the balloon launching field.
The balloon launching field is loaded with over 600 balloons in many different shapes. While walking around the balloons, you not only get to view the colorful balloons, but you also get to observe the balloon crew setting up the balloon.
While the crew is inflating the balloon and filling it with air from a big fan, you can ask them questions about their balloon. Some balloon pilots may even have a balloon trading card for you. Many people love collecting the balloon trading cards. The cards have a photo of the balloon and information about the story around the balloon.
The Balloon Fiesta is a 9-day event with many different activities around the balloons. Check out the Balloon Fiesta schedule for information. On the day that my husband and I attended, it was special shapes day.
Special Shapes Balloons
The special shapes balloons are ones that are not shaped like a typical teardrop balloon. Some of the special shapes that I saw looked like frogs, bees, birthday balloons, a sun, and a tiger.
I was hoping that my husband would ride in a special-shaped balloon. My husband did not care about which balloon he rode in. He was happy to just ride in a balloon.
For more information about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, visit here.
Check out these articles about the Balloon Fiesta
~ The Best Ways To Get To The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
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