Round Rio Rancho

The 40^th Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off with a weekend of perfect weather. The midweek weather suffered from unusual rain and wind setbacks, but by the final weekend the weather cleared up and Albuquerque’s signature event was back on track. It had been several years since we had visited the fiesta, and we had family in town, so it was time to go again. The event did not disappoint.

The mass ascension was incredible. From anywhere on the field, you couldn’t take a bad photo. The color, the shapes and the massive number of balloons in the sky at once was unprecedented. The day we were there, the wind was so calm that the hundreds of balloons that launched hung around for a long time over the field, making for a spectacular traffic jam of balloons.

The Night Magic evening balloon glow provided a surprisingly different spectacle. Dozens of balloons inflated and stayed anchored to the ground, firing their burners at intervals. The result was a flickering show of light and color.  The glow was followed by a dazzling fireworks show.

If you’ve never been to the Balloon Fiesta, we hope our video motivates you to attend next year in person. You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!

The Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally has been held every year since the mid 1970’s on Valentine’s Day weekend. The event is put on by the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (“Aerostat” is much cooler word for “balloon”.), and showcases over 100 local hot air balloon crews and their craft. For many years the event was held at the Rio Rancho Balloon Park near Northern and Unser Blvds. The video above was filmed at the 2010 event. This year the rally will be held at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, February 12 and 13.

I hear it all the time around this time of year – “Fall is the best time to be in New Mexico.” It’s hard to disagree. By early October the weather has usually cooled off, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is in full swing, and the trees in the Rio Grande River Bosque are golden.

Because of the Albuquerque “Box”, (a set of local wind patterns that allow hot air balloons to fly to the south at low altitude, and to the north up high) a lot of balloons often end up flying over the Rio Grande River within sight of the Rivers Edge Subdivision of Rio Rancho.

There’s a walking path along the cliffs overlooking the west side of the river. If you haven’t ever walked there, October would be a great time to do so.  You’ll get a view of the bosque which only lasts a few weeks each year, but which is worth the wait!