Program Articles

This article has historical background information on licensing, statistics, crew information.

From a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown to become hands-down the largest balloon event in the world. Held each year during the first week in October, the Balloon Fiesta hosts hundreds of balloons and over 1,000 pilots.

Some innovative events in Albuquerque have focused on guest appeal, and several have become permanent fixtures of Balloon Fiesta. One of those fixtures is a gas balloon event. In 1981, gas balloons were invited to participate.

A City's pride... The sport of ballooning numbers among its greatest achievers many citizens of Albuquerque, adding additional weight to the city's claim to "The Balloon Capital of the World."

Guests of the 1987 Balloon Fiesta saw the beginning of a permanent addition to Balloon Fiesta. That addition was the Balloon Glow. This event originally came from events in Longview, TX and Durango, CO in which Scott Appelman, a Balloon Fiesta board member at the time, participated.

For questions like; How much does a balloon cost? and How can I be involved without buying a balloon or becoming a pilot? and How do balloons fly? read this article.