Are you ready for this year’s Balloon Fiesta? The City of Albuquerque is already preparing for the highly anticipated event, which kicks off Saturday. As part of its efforts to get ready, the city purchased a parking lot for $3.4 million. This adds six acres of parking space to Balloon Fiesta Park.
The lot had been on loan from Presbyterian for the past 20 years. The city’s purchase now makes it part of the approximately 850 parking spots available for vehicles at the park. Mayor Tim Keller highlighted why securing the property matters.
“When land is for sale around here, the most important thing is to lock it in so that we can continue to use it for Fiesta, because it was very possible that anyone would just buy it and develop on it,” Keller said in an interview. “But we need the parking, we need everything else that comes along with it.”
He said the new ownership won’t change how the space looks, aside from a few minor adjustments to the fencing.
Meanwhile, the launch field is drying out after weeks of heavy rain, clearing the way for the event. According to Parks and Recreation Director Dave Simon, the city recently finished an underground drainage system that has helped keep water from pooling on the field.
Simon added that the city has kept vehicles off the grass for the past week to reduce impact on the area.
Officials Urge Residents to Stay Alert
City officials are putting safety and security first as balloons take off this Saturday. Albuquerque police and Fire Rescue officials are stepping up efforts to prevent theft during the event. Auto theft and car break-ins have been concerns during previous Balloon Fiesta celebrations.
If you’re attending the fiesta, Albuquerque Police Chief Cecily Barker urges you to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect your vehicle and belongings.
“The biggest thing is don’t keep anything visible for people to see and take anything valuable out of your vehicle,” Barker said in an interview. “And I know it sounds like common sense, but locking vehicles is so important.”
Officials said you must report any suspicious activity to authorities. They said if you see something unusual, you should say something.
550 Balloons Set to Fill the Sky
By Saturday, Balloon Fiesta Park will welcome more than 550 hot air balloons and hundreds of thousands of spectators. You may even spot some of the 110 special-shaped balloons.
Balloon-meister Henry Rosenbaum said 700 pilots will take part this year. He oversees balloon operations and coordinates with pilots and crews.
Rosenbaum said no other event in the world comes close to bringing together 550 balloons. He added that the public can walk around and chat with the pilots and crews before they inflate their balloons.
This year’s theme celebrates Route 66’s 100th anniversary.
“The theme for this year is the scenic route, and so we always try to incorporate the theme into everything. And so you’ll see a lot of road runners. You’ll see a lot of road signs. Lots of really beautiful colors, bright colors,” Balloon Fiesta merchandise manager Chani Kaibetoney said in an interview.
Check Out This Year’s Balloon Fiesta Merchandise and Pins
At 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, the fiesta kicks off with a drone show. But you can already get a taste of what’s in store as early as now.
The merchandise tent opened Thursday and will welcome shoppers again Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can pick up this year’s poster, including signed ones.
The merch tent also has plenty of pins for fiesta fans to collect.
Last year, Balloon Fiesta introduced mystery pin boxes for the first time. They’re back this year, and you can get yours this Special Shapes Day.
You can also grab a drone show pin, but supplies are limited.
