Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2015
“Art Wall” photography by Roger Newton
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is a world-renowned attraction and destination for guests from all over
the world. It is the largest ballooning event in the world. The Fiesta is held during nine days starting the
first weekend in October and going through the following weekend. The highlights include “special shape
balloons” and “mass ascensions” of over 500 balloons in a two hour period. On weekend days, over
100,000 attend the event. The Fiesta boasts to be the most photographic event in the world. What’s
special about this event is that attendees are able to be right in the middle of the action as balloons are
inflated and lift off. In some cases one may even help the balloon crew inflate the balloons, prepare for
ascension, and of course get out of the way as the balloon gets in position for lift-off.
The Balloon Fiesta Park covers over 360 acres. The launch field itself is over 80 acres. That’s an area of
about 54 football fields. The park opens at 4:30 am and the “dawn patrol” balloons take off before dawn
around 6:00 am to test for wind conditions. The “balloon ride” balloons take off around 7:00 am followed
by the mass ascension which is finished by around 9:00 am. By 10:00 am all the balloons are in the air
and going in all directions as the wind scatters them around the Albuquerque area. Each balloon has a
chase crew that follows the balloon until it lands somewhere in the Albuquerque area. Landing sites are
any spot that is flat, dry, and big enough for the balloon to land and include open fields, parks, back yards,
parking lots, streets, and if they catch the winds just right they may land back at the Fiesta Park.
The pictures shown here were taken on Wednesday and Thursday, two of the less crowded days at the
Fiesta. Imagine what a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday would be like! So much is going on at the same time
it is hard to take it all in. Hopefully the pictures give you a sense of this awesome experience and the joy
of being part of this event.
Be sure to take a look at the pictures on the “art wall” at OSLC. Take a shot at finding the answers to the
questionnaire. All of the questions relate to the pictures and only a couple may need outside information.
The answers can be found on the next page.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2015 Quiz
Correct answers are in red
1. What does Fiesta mean?
a. It is the Spanish word for smorgasbord.
b. It is an afternoon nap.
c. It is a holiday or festival.
d. It is a road trip.
2. In what city is the Balloon Fiesta held?
a. Albuquerque, Arizona.
b. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
c. Albuquerque, Alaska.
d. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
3. How many bumble bees can you find?
a. 1.
b. 2.
c. 3. (Look up, they’re overhead!)
d. 4.
4. Pastor Karen’s dog, Ruby, would have liked which
balloon the most?
a. The car.
b. The fire hydrant.
c. The cow.
d. The duck. (Pastor Karen said “The duck.” My
choice was the fire hydrant.)
5. How many “zebras” can you find?
a. 1.
b. 2.
c. 3.
d. 4. (One balloon and three “officials.”)
6. What are the colors of the photographer’s jacket?
a. Green and white.
b. Red and white.
c. Purple and white.
d. Black and white.
7. How many black spots are on the frog?
a. 10.
b. 14.
c. 20. (You need to see both sides of the frog.
7 on each side and 6 on the nose)
d. 24
8. How many times do you see the cow?
a. 4.
b. 5.
c. 6. (Two on the ground, one by the light post,
one overhead, and two with all the balloons
in flight.)
d. 7.
9. What is Pastor Rod’s favorite balloon?
a. The Car. (Pastor Rod said the car.
My guess was the astronaut.)
b. The astronaut.
c. Smokey the Bear.
d. The frog.
10. What happened from 1787 to 1987?
a. That was the length of time it took to rebuild
Summit Avenue.
b. It took that long to build the Washington
Monument.
c. “We the people” (This is on the balloon.)
d. “God bless America”
11. How many baby calves can the mother cow feed at
the same time?
a. 1.
b. 2.
c. 3.
d. 4. (Look up. That’s the udder truth)
12. What’s the biggest object represented by a balloon?
a. The car.
b. The earth. (There was no sun balloon)
c. The sun.
d. The whale.
13. How many stripes are on the elephant’s nose?
a. 7.
b. 8.
c. 9.
d. 10.
14. The photographer and Alfred Hitchcock have what
in common?
a. Both smoke cigars.
b. Both are movie producers/directors.
c. Both are overweight.
d. Both appear in their works of art.
15. How many people are in the ”selfie”?
a. 8.
b. 9.
c. 10.
d. 11.
If you disagree with a correct answer, talk to the
photographer ☺