http://vimeo.com/110211449
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta happens in early October each year. It's an amazing spectacle, and a photographer's dream. After paying for admission, you can walk among the balloons as their owners set up and launch. Or, watch for free from a distance. The sight of hundreds of colorful balloons filling the sky on a clear New Mexico morning is amazing.
The Fiesta lasts for a week, attracting hundreds of balloonists from around the world. The mass ascension events are held on the opening and closing weekends. During the week, smaller numbers of balloons (but often more than 100) participate in a variety of events that challenge the pilots' balloon handling skills.
Albuquerque is a great location because of the "Albuquerque Box," a set of winds that blow in different directions at different altitudes. So you can start off heading north, then go to higher altitude to find a wind heading south. Skillful pilots can land back on the field where they launched. Unlucky pilots land all over the place, including in the nearby Rio Grande.
The web site for the Fiesta is http://www.balloonfiesta.com/
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta happens in early October each year. It's an amazing spectacle, and a photographer's dream. After paying for admission, you can walk among the balloons as their owners set up and launch. Or, watch for free from a distance. The sight of hundreds of colorful balloons filling the sky on a clear New Mexico morning is amazing.
The Fiesta lasts for a week, attracting hundreds of balloonists from around the world. The mass ascension events are held on the opening and closing weekends. During the week, smaller numbers of balloons (but often more than 100) participate in a variety of events that challenge the pilots' balloon handling skills.
Albuquerque is a great location because of the "Albuquerque Box," a set of winds that blow in different directions at different altitudes. So you can start off heading north, then go to higher altitude to find a wind heading south. Skillful pilots can land back on the field where they launched. Unlucky pilots land all over the place, including in the nearby Rio Grande.
The web site for the Fiesta is http://www.balloonfiesta.com/
