Community Chat

[Kachina624]

At dawn today, we in Albuquerque kicked off the 51st International Balloon Fiesta with a brisk 50° and crystal blue skies.  There were tons of new balloon faces and bright new colors.  I don't remember the exact number, but we have about 550 balloons in the sky at one time.

We're  going to have an exciting day next Saturday, the 14th.  Albuquerque happens to be in the perfect geographical position for viewing the eclipse of the sun.  It will occur late in the morning so, with darkened skies, they've planned the first-ever daytime balloon glow.

Balloon glows are events when many balloons are tethered and the pilots hit their burners causing the balloons to glow like huge light bulbs.  It's all synchronized to music and is quite spectacular.   This is normally done at night for obvious reasons.

[dancingwoman]

@Kachina624  What a beautiful sight against that blue sky!  DW

[Jk9]

Oh WOW.  How gorgeous.  Wishing them all a safe adventure.

[Elodie2]

So colorful up, up in the air.  I can imagine how awesome it must be to see that in person.  

[kze]

I really miss that!!

[meallen616]

@Kachina624,

Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you,

[haddon9]

What a fun time it appears to be!  I would love to see it in person...however I'm too much of a chicken to want to go up in one.

Many years ago when my kids were in elementary school a town close to us had a balloon festival.  I don't know why they don't do it again but we went and it was really an amazing sight to see! 

It wasn't as big as the Albuquerque one but there had to be over 50 balloons! 

[On It]

@Kachina624 Can you see some of the balloons from your home? I don't like crowds, but I would love to see the mass ascension in person. I know TV shows it, but it has to be more spectacular in person.

Next week's eclipse will be something. I do not recall ever having one overhead. We got lucky. Our storage house arrived so we came to New Mexico to supervise its placement. We decided to stay a few extra days to see the eclipse. 

[LizzieInSRQ]

Someday i hope to see this in person! Thx for sharing @Kachina624 

[Kachina624]

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@On It wrote:

@Kachina624 Can you see some of the balloons from your home? I don't like crowds, but I would love to see the mass ascension in person. I know TV shows it, but it has to be more spectacular in person.

Next week's eclipse will be something. I do not recall ever having one overhead. We got lucky. Our storage house arrived so we came to New Mexico to supervise its placement. We decided to stay a few extra days to see the eclipse. 

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@On It.  I'm only about 3 or 4 miles West of the balloon grounds but the balloons fly North and South so the only ones I see are non-registered participants taking off from the boondocks.

I've been there in person but these days I watch on TV.  KOB and KOAT TV have great coverage anyone can watch on a computer or tablet.  They start taking off about 7am MDT or 9am EDT.  It's worth checking out.  You'll want to be there.