With all the negativity in the news recently (2006); war in Iraq; murder of girls in the Palestinian Authority; the same old scandals and corruption in the country; shootings and murders in our schools; And ANOTHER tiresome and endless scandal in Congress!

There is refreshing and positive news that happens once a year in Albuquerque, New Mexico … and that is the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which has been going on for the last 35 years. First of all, I am not on the Fiesta Board of Directors; I am not a volunteer; I am not an employee of the City of Albuquerque or the Chamber of Commerce, so I have no interest in the Balloon Party. I don’t have a hot air balloon, and I’ve never ridden in one! I was born in Albuquerque, NM, and for 35 of those years, I have witnessed one of the great events in America … and this is my story!

Before I continue, and for those of you around the world, I’ll put Albuquerque, New Mexico on the map for you. The state of New Mexico is located in the southwestern part of the United States with our good neighbors in Texas to the east; our good neighbors to the north in Colorado; our good neighbors in western Arizona; and our good neighbors to the south in the country of Mexico.

The metropolitan city of Albuquerque has a population of approximately 500,000 residents. (And yes, we have electricity here and running water!) Albuquerque is in the north / central part of the state, where I-40 (Route 66) and I-25 (Pan-American Highway) meet, and is approximately one hour drive north from Santa Fe, NM.

The Balloon Party began in 1971, with only 25 hot air balloons, and was held at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. At the time, I lived just a mile from the fairgrounds, and I’ve never seen so many hot air balloons gathered in one place in my life! And, little by little over the years, the Balloon Party has grown, so that by 2006, between 700 and 800 hot air balloons from all over the United States and around the world are participating!

I’ve seen newspaper reports over the years, that there have been over a million people who have attended this event in the last few years, which is why the city of Albuquerque gets very busy in the month of October. In the cool weather of the first and second weekends in October, this is when the ten-day event takes place. If you are a person who really likes the color around you … THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU!

“Joy is the feeling of smiling inside.” Melba colgrove

The first 200 balloons are placed on the ground, side by side, and when the hot air from the propane fuel lifts the balloon envelope, they are still there, almost touching in a glorious array of colors! The visitor is lost in a sea of ​​color, while the balloons prepare to take off! Describe the sensation of walking among these colorful giants, it is almost impossible! The ahhhhh and ooooooh’s of the great crowd, tell the story!

At 7:00 am on the morning of the beginning, or ascension as it is called … two hundred balloons take off in the first phase of the opening of the Party! Every thirty minutes, a group of 200 balloons line up on the ground and soar into the skies! Followed by the next 200 balloons … followed by the next 200, until all 700-800 balloons are in the sky! A sight you won’t soon forget! Amazing; fantastic; amazing; unforgettable … are the words I use to describe this event! What a spectacular sight, as balloons dot the sky across the city and the Rio Grande valley! Color is everywhere!

My favorite balloons from day one have been the special shaped balloons! The creativity, ingenuity and imagination that goes into making these balloons is incredible! I never forget how creative these balloons can be! Balloons of special shapes such as the following: Garfield; Boo-Boo Bear; the piggy bank; a stork / w baby; the Ark, with small animal characters looking out the side of the ship; a huge football; a huge soccer ball; a bottle of wine; an old tennis shoe; a folded newspaper; a bumblebee a mailbox; a sun, with sunglasses … and dozens and dozens more! My favorite special shape balloon has always been a clumsy cow from a local dairy! There are always new special shapes at the Balloon Party every year!

“Everyone has a photographic memory, but not everyone has film.” Lewis hines

YOU HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING YET! During one of the ten days of the Fiesta, there is an event that takes place on the grounds of the Park called Balloon Rodeo … or Balloon Glow … or as some call it … Glowdeo! Two hundred balloons are chosen for this event … and it is celebrated one NIGHT! The FAA does not allow hot air balloons to fly at night, but there is no law against having a glowing balloon … and that’s what it is! Two hundred balloons are tied to the ground, so they stay in place AT NIGHT while the balloon envelopes are filled with hot air! The sswiiiiiisssssshhhh- sound of balloon burners that the balloon pilot turns on and off, so that the balloon remains upright!

The visitor sees a sea of ​​orange, as the balloons light up in the dark night! Dinner by candlelight, anyone? This event reminds me of Halloween, with the glitter of the gold and orange balloons and the darkness of the night! SPECTACULAR! When I first saw this event … I was speechless!

During the ten days of the race, activities take place throughout the week at the Fiesta Park. There are all kinds of foods available in different countries; Arts and crafts; the Balloon Museum and games and competitions for balloon teams. A competition is the following; there are five … 30 foot poles in the Fiesta Part … and on top of each of the poles are prizes that hot air balloons can grab as they fly. This requires skill on the part of the pilot, and he or she must have the ability to maneuver the balloon close enough to the pole to claim the prize! Prizes include: keys to a new car; keys to a new truck; keys to a new motorcycle and other prizes like televisions and computers. etc. It’s exciting to see how the winning balloons can get close enough to the poles to win the prizes!

“A good snapshot prevents a moment from escaping.” Eudora Welty

During the 35 years of the Fiesta it has been incredibly safe, but like any great event, there will be tragedy. There are restrictions on where hot air balloons can fly. They are prohibited from flying near the military base; the airport; certain indigenous reservations and cannot fly near the mountains. To give you an idea of ​​how dangerous mountains can be, they were the catastrophes that occurred years ago at the Fiesta.

The Sandia Mountains, located on the eastern city limits of Albuquerque … rise to an elevation of 10,600 feet above sea level. (The word “Sandia” is Spanish for watermelon) The mountains are unusual in that they rise gradually from the eastern side of the state, and when they reach 10,600 feet high … they drop down … like a cliff .. . Just down the eastern city limits. The Sandias supports the longest streetcar system in North America and no vehicle can reach Crest from the west side of the mountains. One person can get to Crest by trail or tram only!

Due to the dangerous winds, swirling and twisting along the mountains, which are so unpredictable, hot air balloons are not allowed to fly near the mountains. Several years ago, a hot air balloon team tried to cross the Ridge and they failed! Dangerous winds blew the balloon sideways … the balloon caught fire and the balloons rushed to their deaths!

If there are 800 balloons in the sky … there are 800 chase teams on the ground, chasing the balloon wherever it goes! The balloon could land in the river; center; at a truck stop; at your doctor’s office; near the ice cream truck … you never know where one of these balloons will land! You can imagine all the chaos around the city, as the pursuers try to keep up with their balloon!

“Life is like a big canvas, and you should put as much paint on it as you can!” Danny kaye

The finale of the Party brings what’s called, the AfterGlow fireworks show, and consists of fireworks exploding in the starlit sky! The most photographed event in the world comes to an end for another year! And did you know that hot air balloons have their own prayer? Says so.

“May the winds receive you with sweetness.

May the sun bless you with its warm hands.

May you fly so high and so well that God joins you in laughter and gently returns you to the loving arms of Mother Earth. “

Isn’t it cool?

For 35 years, I have witnessed this event and I never tire of it! And because of this, I have never seen so many “hopeless cases” in my entire life!