RAISE A GLASS TO THE EIGHTH ANNUAL AMERICA’S CHALLENGE GAS BALLOON RACE

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta launches Fiesta del Vino

Contact: Kathie Leyendecker, Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Sept. 10, 2003—The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta today announced that it will sponsor Fiesta del Vino, a wine tasting festival to celebrate the award-winning and flavorful wines of New Mexico. Fiesta del Vino will coincide with the launch of the 2003 America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race.

On Oct. 4, 2003, from 12:30-7:00 p.m., Fiesta del Vino attendees will be able to sample and purchase a wide variety of wines at Balloon Fiesta Park. Participating vineyards and wineries include Anderson Valley, Bee’s Brothers, Casa Rondena, Sandia Shadows, Sisneros-Torres, Tularosa, Wines of the San Juan and NM Wineries, Inc. In addition to providing free samples to attendees, wineries will be selling wine by the glass, bottle and case. Admission to Fiesta del Vino is $10 and includes a collectable “Fiesta del Vino” wine glass to toast the pilots in the 2003 America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race.

The America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race was founded by Mark Sullivan, former Balloon Fiesta President and recipient of the Montgolfier Diplome (ballooning’s highest honor). Mark, a renowned competitor in all of the major gas ballooning events, saw the need for America to be identified with the world’s most prestigious ballooning sport. Since the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta had already hosted two world-renowned gas balloon races, the 37th Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett in 1993 and the 8th World Gas Balloon Championship in 1994, Mark considered it only appropriate that his hometown, the birthplace of the world’s largest ballooning event, be the point of inauguration.

The eighth America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race will begin October 4, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. No parking fee or admission fee to the Park will be charged for the Saturday afternoon events. For a complete 2003 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta schedule of events as well as results from prior years’ races, visit www.balloonfiesta.com.

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Balloon Fiesta executives are available for interview.