ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Officials say this year’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will feature a day when New Mexicans can get in for free.

With either a photo ID or a utility bill with a New Mexico address, people can get into the park for free on “New Mexico Day,” Monday, October 7.

The Balloon Fiesta board of directors unanimously voted in favor of this.

“Balloon Fiesta is so appreciative of the support this event receives throughout our state. Allowing residents into Balloon Fiesta free on October 7 is our way of saying thank you!,” Board President Judy Nakamura said.

Here is how it works:

When you arrive at Balloon Fiesta, go to a ticket booth, show your ID or bill and receive your ticket. Any active-duty military personnel should bring a military ID card and show it to a ticket booth.

Children ages 12 and under already receive free admission.

One caveat of the free tickets: No rainchecks or refunds apply and you will still have to pay for parking.

Tickets go on sale online this Friday at 9 a.m. for this year’s Balloon Fiesta.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Officials with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta confirmed the event set an all-time attendance record in 2023.

During the 2023 Balloon Fiesta, there were an estimated 968,516 visitors. That topped the all-time record of 955,703 visitors, set in 2015.

Last year, there were more than 828,000 attendees for the nine-day event. The year before, there were an estimated 783,866 attendees in the first year back from COVID.

The 2023 Balloon Fiesta had a total of 629 registered pilots for 546 registered hot air balloons, including 107 special shape balloons. 12 of those special shape balloons were new to Fiesta.

The Gordon Bennett Gas Race drew 17 teams and 75 remote-control balloons participated in Fiesta.

Balloon Fiesta set a new Guinness World Record for the “Largest Display of Model Hot Air Balloons,” of 55 balloons, during the Wednesday festivities.

The Fiesta lived up to its “International” billing as 16 countries were represented, between the registered pilots and the Gordon Bennett race:

Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States

Poor weather canceled just two of the 14 sessions – the evening of October 12 and the morning of October 15.

Here are some other figures officials released Monday:

• 1,134 navigators/volunteers
• 836 media representatives from 142 organizations
• 771,631 total views on Balloon Fiesta Live

The 2024 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will take place October 5-13.

Balloon Fiesta attendance numbers since 2011

X Marks the Spot 2023 winners

• John and Jeremy Mechenbier
• Chris Aldrige
• Iris Flechsenhaar
• Viviana Moreno
• Abigail Savage
• Debbie Harlow
• Lance Flemming
• Kelsey Culbertson
• Myla Hackett

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — At Balloon Fiesta Park, a yellow flag was raised Sunday morning.

Pilots received the yellow flag around 6:20 a.m. on the last day of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, due to brisk winds from the north. Once the sun came up, a few balloons inflated for static display only.

Yellow flag still up. Strong winds aloft and at the surface. Candlestick glow at 7 a.m. with National Anthem

— Balloon Fiesta (@balloonfiesta) October 15, 2023

To watch our coverage from this morning, click here.

From BF pilots briefing: Wind is down to 10 knots.. was 20 earlier. Winds faster than 10 knots will cancel a mass ascension. Yellow flag stays for now. @balloonfiesta #pilotsbriefing @KOB4

— Kassi Foote (@kassi_foote) October 15, 2023

For the latest on all things Balloon Fiesta, check out the Balloon Fiesta page on KOB.com. 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Thousands of people came out to Balloon Fiesta Park Saturday morning not just for the balloons, but to catch the annular eclipse. 

“This view, the people, the hundreds of thousands of people are here. This is just breathtaking. I love it. I just I couldn’t, I couldn’t have done it and find anything better,” said Zeno Chaply.

Zeno Chapy says he came all the way from Virginia to visit his daughter and come to Balloon Fiesta. The annular eclipse was just the cherry on top for him. 

“I got some great pictures. I’ve seen eclipses before, but this ring of fire was so clear, so beautiful it’s just- and the skies they opened up and rendered a perfect day,” said Chaply. 

An annular eclipse is when the moon passed in front of the sun, but looks smaller, so it creates a small ring of light.  There were some worries about cloudy skies Saturday. 

Susan Newmann says she had the best first Balloon Fiesta ever.

“It’s just, it was just once in a lifetime, wonderful, wonderful experience. Just, you know, if you’ve never been you’ve got a come,” said Newmann. 

Almost everyone had their eclipse glasses on and were trying to capture the moment. But even if you weren’t looking at the actual eclipse you could definitely tell it was happening. 

“It was very, very cool. It got very cold when the moon covered the sun so that was not very fun, but it was very cool. Just the vibes were great,” said Camden Badenhuizen. 

Across town on Johnson Field at UNM, crowds came out to watch the eclipse too. 

“This is just a small, small telescope I use for astronomy, it’s portable. I have a little system here that lets me either look at it with my eye or send the light through to the camera,” said Jeff Myers. 

Myers says he knew he wanted to be here to watch the magical moment. 

“I came from New Jersey. I think it’s raining there today. So, we love the New Mexico skies and the weather. So we’re happy to be here,” said Myers.  

Hundreds of people brought their telescopes to the field to enjoy the view together. 

“I just enjoy sharing this experience with other people. Astronomy is a somewhat solitary hobby, so when you can be with 1,000 or 2,000 people, it’s a lot of fun,” Myers said. 

The moon passed in front of the sun creating a perfect ring of fire that lasted for almost five minutes. The eclipse started around 9:15 a.m. and ended around noon. 

The next annular eclipse won’t be until 2039, but the next total eclipse will be in April 2024.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Saturday’s Mass Ascension was a success at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Pilots received the green flag around 6:45 a.m. for the eighth day of Balloon Fiesta.

If you couldn’t make it to Balloon Fiesta Park, you can watch our livestream here.

For the latest on all things Balloon Fiesta, check out the Balloon Fiesta page on KOB.com. 

We're eagerly awaiting this morning's Annular Eclipse, joined by 72 balloons that will glow beginning at 10:20 a.m. Be sure you have your eclipse-viewing glasses handy to safely view this phenomenon!

— Balloon Fiesta (@balloonfiesta) October 14, 2023

Green flag is up. Morning Ascension is a go!

— Balloon Fiesta (@balloonfiesta) October 14, 2023

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show

6 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show

6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

7 a.m. Mass Ascension

8 a.m. AIBF Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

9:13 a.m. Annular Solar Eclipse Begins

10 a.m. AIBF Chainsaw Carving Auction

11 a.m. Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading

1 p.m. Music Fiesta

3 p.m. AIBF Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

5 p.m. Team Fastrax Skydiving

6 p.m. Night Magic Glow

6 p.m. Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote control balloon glow)

7:30 p.m. Team Fastrax Skydiving

7:45 p.m. Drone Light Show

8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Organizers with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta are expecting big crowds Saturday – not only for the Mass Ascension, but because of the annular solar eclipse.

The eclipse will be visible in Albuquerque starting at 9:13 a.m. Saturday morning.

“We are going to get a ring of fire because it can’t completely block out the sun,” said Dr. Kelly Korreck, an astrophysicist and NASA program manager for the eclipse.

The eclipse happens to fall on the second to last day of Balloon Fiesta. Event officials are preparing for many people to be able to see the eclipse from Balloon Fiesta Park.

“During that time we’re actually going to do something that’s never been one before here in Albuquerque,” said Sam Parks, Balloon Fiesta executive director. “We’re actually going to have a daylight, dusk, dark, and then daylight again balloon glow. So it’ll be approximately 75 balloons that will take center stage after the morning flight.”

NASA reps will also be at Balloon Fiesta Park, along with astronomy groups, to educate the public on the eclipse.

“NASA is going to have a couple of telescopes to view the sun, we’re going to have activities, things from observing temperature, looking at pieces of a rocket, and parts of our balloon project,” Dr. Korreck said.

When it comes to the eclipse, expects want to remind the public that they should not look at it directly.

“The sun is very bright and can burn that delicate tissue that is in the back of your eyes, so you want to make sure that you view solar viewing glasses,” Dr. Korreck said.

Balloon Fiesta officials say they will have guests covered.

“We’re very proud to be aligned with NASA to provide 80,000 free eclipse glasses to whoever comes into the park,” Parks said. “We want all of our guest to be protected.”

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Officials at Balloon Fiesta Park have raised the green flag for the Special Shape Glowdeo!

The flag was raised around 5:40 p.m. Friday. Balloons are expected to begin inflating shortly.

Thursday night’s Glowdeo was canceled due to winds at the field.

For the latest on everything Balloon Fiesta, check out our Balloon Fiesta page.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 SCHEDULE

6 p.m. Special Shapes Glowdeo

7:30 p.m. Team Fastrax Skydiving

7:45 p.m. Drone Light Show

8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — What do medieval knights, Godzilla, and bandido birds all have in common? Well you can find pictures of all of them at the Balloon Fiesta’s Artisan tent. In fact, they’re all at the same booth.

Photojournalist Zack Crozier met up with local artist, Chris Santacroce, who is bringing a world of cartoons to Balloon Fiesta.

Photojournalist Zack Crozier met up with local artist, Chris Santacroce, who is bringing a world of cartoons to Balloon Fiesta.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — No static displays or red flags are needed for Day 7 of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the green flag is in the air.

Ascension and the Special Shape Rodeo will go off without a hitch. A military flyover will christen KOB 4 Kids Day, which will also feature a fly-in competition.

Click here for a live stream of the balloons lifting off and taking to the skies over Albuquerque.

Here is today’s schedule:

7 a.m. Special Shape Rodeo

7 a.m. Ascension – Balloon Launch

7:30 a.m. Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote control balloons exhibition)

8 a.m. Fly In Competition Begins

8 a.m. AIBF Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

10 a.m. AIBF Chainsaw Carving Auction

3 p.m. AIBF Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

5 p.m. Team Fastrax Skydiving

6 p.m. Special Shape Glowdeo

7:30 p.m. Team Fastrax Skydiving

7:45 p.m. Drone Light Show

8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is obviously known as the place to see hundreds of hot air balloons take to the sky at once, but over the last couple of years, a new staple has been added to the show – Fastrax skydiving.

“It starts out months in advance, with the planning and ordering and preparing the pyrotechnic systems,” said Matt Harvey, the director of operations for Team Fastrax.

The skydivers even do walk throughs on the ground so there is no confusion of where everyone wil be in the sky.

“You have the planning for the weather, you have to figure out the jumps, the parachutes, the attachments, the smoke, the pyrotechnics,” Harvey said. “There are the safety aspects – landing where we are supposed to land, but also putting on an amazing performance for the spectators.”

Once the plan is clear, the team is ready for takeoff. It’s a short flight over to Balloon Fiesta Park, and then it’s time to jump.

At the International Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Fastrax skydiving blends precision planning, daring jumps, and dazzling pyrotechnics.

Soon after they touch down, they are repacking their parachutes and getting ready to go back up for the pyro show – strapping 25 pounds of fireworks to each leg.

Click on the video above for the full story – Spencer Schacht shares a behind the scenes look, from takeoff to touch down.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Winds at Balloon Fiesta Park have forced organizers to cancel the Special Shape Glowdeo planned for Thursday evening.

A yellow flag was raised on the field after the pilot’s briefing around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. By 6:30 p.m. a red flag was issued.

Balloon Fiesta officials say the session will be a raincheck session – entry tickets can be used for another session this year.

Team Fastrax is still expected to jump at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, followed by a drone show at 7:30 p.m. and the fireworks show at 7:45 p.m.

Red Flag for 10/12 Evening Session. Session is a raincheck session. Please retain your ticket for entry to another session of your choice at the 51st event. Team Fastrax to jump at 7:15 p.m., Drone show to take place at 7:30 p.m. and Fireworks Show at 7:45 p.m.

— Balloon Fiesta (@balloonfiesta) October 13, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Star Wars fans, Thursday is your day at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Day six is Special Shapes Day with the Special Shapes Rodeo right away in the morning. However, the Rodeo will be a static display because of the wind.

That’s no problem for the vendors at Balloon Fiesta Park. They say when mass ascensions get called off, they see an uptick in business.

If you’re heading to one of the vendors, you may see the Star Wars gang too. Yoda and Darth Vader balloons are a part of the static display.

From stormtroopers to sombreros and Obi-Wan Kenobi to knickknacks, Gabe Salazar found it all Thursday morning.

From stormtroopers to sombreros and Obi-Wan Kenobi to knickknacks, Gabe Salazar found it all Thursday morning.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Organizers at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta gave pilots the green flag for static display Thursday on day six.

High winds kept the balloons on the ground. However, pilots got to inflate their balloons for the Special Shape Rodeo.

The fly-in competition, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., was also canceled.

Here are the events scheduled for Thursday, October 12, 2023:

• 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol (on a weather hold)
• 7 a.m. Special Shape Rodeo™ (scheduled for static display)
• 7 a.m. Ascension Balloon Launch (on and off Balloon Fiesta Park)
• 8 a.m. Fly-In Competition Begins (on a weather hold)
• 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
• 10 a.m. Chainsaw Carving Auction
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
• 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Great American Kite Show
• 5 p.m. Team Fastrax Skydiving (on weather hold)
• 6 p.m. Special Shape Glowdeo
• 7:30 p.m. Team Fastrax Skydiving (on weather hold)
• 7:45 p.m. Drone Light Show
• 8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A balloon racing in this year’s Gordon Bennett Cup, which began in Albuquerque, crashed into power lines in Texas on Monday. There are new reports that the gas balloon was avoiding gunfire.

The Poland Team 1 balloon caught fire after crashing into a set of power lines in Crandall, Texas – not even two days after it took off from Balloon Fiesta Park.

Around 7:25 p.m. Monday, the Tracking Leaderboard showed the balloon stopped moving. Witnesses said the balloon was leaking some kind of liquid and there was an explosion when it hit those power lines. 

The two balloon pilots, Krzystolf Zapart and Pjotr Halas, were taken to a hospital in Dallas.

“Both are experienced gas balloon pilots who have logged significant time in gas balloons. Our thoughts are with the gentlemen, their families and friends for a full and complete recovery,” Balloon Fiesta officials said in a statement issued Tuesday morning.

One of the pilots told a Dallas TV station they were rushing to land because they were trying to avoid gunfire. Both pilots suffered serious injuries – Zapart sustained cuts and burns to his legs while Halas sustained burns and broken bones in his legs and midsection.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A cold front is approaching the Albuquerque area and Balloon Fiesta Park is forecasted to have winds that may be unfavorable to flying on Thursday, October 12. 

Balloon Fiesta officials are preparing for the special shapes and other hot air balloons to put on a static display for guests to enjoy Thursday morning. If weather conditions are within appropriate limits, maybe they will still fly.

Flying conditions are determined during pilot briefing ahead of each session, scheduled to take place at 6 a.m. Thursday morning. Following the pilot briefing, session updates will be available.

Other activities around Balloon Fiesta Park are on schedule but may be updated based on weather conditions. 

Here are the events scheduled for Thursday, October 12, 2023:

• 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol (on a weather hold)
• 7 a.m. Special Shape Rodeo™ (scheduled for static display)
• 7 a.m. Ascension Balloon Launch (on and off Balloon Fiesta Park)
• 8 a.m. Fly-In Competition Begins (on a weather hold)
• 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
• 10 a.m. Chainsaw Carving Auction
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
• 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Great American Kite Show
• 5 p.m. Team Fastrax Skydiving (on weather hold)
• 6 p.m. Special Shape Glowdeo
• 7:30 p.m. Team Fastrax Skydiving (on weather hold)
• 7:45 p.m. Drone Light Show
• 8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Pilots received the green flag immediately and lit the burners to lift off on Day 5 of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Day 5 is the Flight of the Nations so we are welcoming our pilots from around the world.

Check out the view from Chopper 4 as balloons take to the skies, and go for a dip in the Rio Grande.

The 66^th Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett has concluded. Team France 2 flew an unofficial distance of 1653.72 miles and are the unofficial winners of the 66^th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett. Pilots Eric Decellières and Benoît Havret landed less than 53.9 miles from the coast near Jacksonville, North Carolina at 10:59am MDT, surpassing Team Germany 1 by a difference of 46.1 miles. Team France 2 was airborne for a total of 85 hours and 49 minutes.

Once it is confirmed as an official distance, this will be Decellières and Havret’s first Gordon Bennett championship title. The Team France 2 duo finished second in the 2021 Gordon Bennett, and have two top five Gordon Bennett finishes and four top ten Gordon Bennett finishes to their credit. Decellières, flying with the great Gordon Bennett champion Vincent Lëys, came in second in the 2019 America’s Challenge. This year, the winning team set a distance record for French competitors for this type of distance race.

Team Germany 1 pilots Wilhelm and Benjamin Eimers landed with an unofficial distance of 1607.62 miles; flying for a total of 85 hours and 19 minutes. If the 2023 results are confirmed, this will mark Wilhelm’s tenth 2^nd place finish.

Team France 1 flew an unofficial distance of 1466.40 miles, Team USA 1 flew an unofficial distance of 1382.31 miles and Team USA2 flew an unofficial 1210.23 miles. If the results for these three teams are confirmed they will finished third, fourth and fifth in the 66^th Gordon Bennett Cup.

The gas balloon pilots and crew will return to Albuquerque for the award ceremony on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

For more information on the 2023 Gordon Bennett gas balloon race, click here. 🗺️

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Countless families have celebrated Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque for the last 51 years – but to keep the tradition going, we’ll need new pilots to hop in the gondolas.

Some families instill the love of ballooning early. Some kids start working on balloon crews well before they can drive. So, the natural next step is piloting the balloon.

“That’s called the crown line and it is attached to the top, or the crown, and when we are first starting I’m just keeping in place and make sure the balloon doesn’t rocket up when he goes hot,” 15-year-old Christian Speicher explained.

Christian’s dad is the pilot of the “Gut-Wrenching” balloon and is based right in Albuquerque. Christian has been coming to Balloon Fiesta for pretty much his entire life and for as long as he can remember, he’s wanted to be a balloon pilot.

“My dad has been doing it basically his entire life so I was raised in it and then I thought it would be really cool to become a pilot,” Christian explained.

Countless families have celebrated Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque for the last 51 years – but to keep the tradition going, we'll need new pilots to hop in the gondolas.

But he’s not the only kid who’s keeping his eyes – and goals – on the skies.

“My dad is a balloon pilot and when I was little, he always took me up. He’s been doing that for like 30 years,” 18-year-old French balloon pilot Mael Gourinel explained.

“I have been here for 13 years – my first flight was when I was two,” said Ashlyn Wellz, Albuquerque native and “the best darn crew chief you ever did see.” Her family flies the “Guilty” balloon.

“I started ballooning around 12 years old,” said pilot David Adler, who is now 27.

KOB 4 also asked 10-year-old Ryat Hall what he wanted to be when he grew up. Without missing a beat he replies, “A hot air ballooner!”