The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival

If you ever get the chance to come and visit the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, you will have the time of you're life. The balloon festival is just really something to see and experience. This spectacular event takes place during the first week in October and runs for a full nine days, giving you ample time to attend and see all the fine festivities.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival was initially started in 1972 with a mere 13 balloons that were launched from a shopping mall parking lot. Since then it has gradually grown to a huge size that no other state can even come close to competing with.

This huge event takes place at the 365 acre Balloon Fiesta Park, which is the equivalent of 54 football fields put together! The New Mexico skies are literally filled with beautiful colorful balloons all in mass ascension. This ballooning event provides you with the opportunity to view 700 different balloons, which make it the largest ballooning event in the world.

Make a day out of it and get there very early in the morning so you won't miss any of the events. You will find it is well worth the effort to get there early. Nothing can really compare to watching hundreds of balloons inflating and gently ascending into the sky.

The sky seems to glow with all the beautiful colored balloons. You can get a good close up of these balloons and the kids will certainly enjoy the sights and sounds of this memorable day. If you like there are also evening festivities and lots of food vendor are available with tempting treats.

The Night Glows at the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival are held during the evenings. This is where the balloonists ignite their burners repeatedly at the same time on an announced count down. All the burners, burning at the same time give the sky a beautiful glowing appearance.

While you are attending this ballooning experience of a life time, you will no doubt be taking ton's of great photos. Stop in and visit the great collectibles that they sell such as ceramic tiles, bookmarks and belt buckles to further remember you're experience. And they also sell some beautiful colorful patches.

Lucky for you that they have some handy Park and Ride facilities. It sure cuts down on the hassle of parking. Whether you go during the day or plan to attend the evening festivities, everyone is sure to have a good time at the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival.