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Albuquerque Balloon Festival where to stay. Albuquerque International Balloon Festival

As children, all of us loved air balloons- a bright and colorful symbol of the holiday. But over time, we grow up and begin to enjoy more global things. For example, more impressive balloons, especially if they can also lift us to the clouds. In one of the US cities, the love for air, flying and fantasy has grown into a global international festival. balloons.

How did the balloon parade begin?

Big things always start small. From an idea, from an idea, from a fantasy that one day several entertainers decide to bring to life. In 1972, a few people who were in love with the sky decided to have a wonderful holiday. It was this year that the first balloon festival took place in Albuquerque. Then only 13 aircraft took to the skies to celebrate the birthday of the radio station from New Mexico in a big way. At that time, special sites were not prepared, volunteers did not work, and an impressive program was not drawn up. All the spectators just stared at the sky, standing at the parking lot of the mall. And, despite the simplicity of the event, people liked this impressive action so much that the holiday became traditional.

In 1973, within the framework of the festival, the first competitive flights were already held among representatives different countries peace. So the festival became international. Two years later, the date of the event was confirmed - the balloons rise in October. And in 1978, the festival had its own “trick” - flights in the dark. Then a pilot from California took to the skies at night. This slightly risky experiment was successful and also became a tradition.

Due to the great popularity of the festival, the number of applications simply exceeded all reasonable limits. That is why in 2001 the organizers made a tough decision and began to rapidly reduce the possible number of participants. Gradually, the number of balls decreased from 1,100 to 400-700, depending on the year and the program. In 2011, the festival set a world record according to the Guinness book for the most numerous flight on balloons launched as soon as possible.

On this moment Balloon Festival is one of the most famous and exciting events. After all, festivals in the United States have a colossal scale and focus, but it is the sky of Albuquerque that attracts more than others to this day.

Video - Holiday in Albuquerque

What to expect this year from Albuquerque?

Traditionally, the action takes place in early October and lasts up to 9 days. This time, the 2017 International Balloon Festival will begin on October 7 and will last until October 15 inclusive. The time of the event was not chosen by chance, since it is during this period that windless, warm and sunny weather reigns in Albuquerque.

As in previous years, participants and guests will be welcomed at the large area of Balloon Fiesta Park. Its total area is 365 acres, of which 78 acres are allocated for areas for taking off balloons. Usually, more than 800,000 visitors from all over the world come to New Mexico to see the wonders of heaven and feel the breath of wind on their faces. And all of them will not be bored, because the program promises to be amazing.

On the official website of the event, the organizers posted full list entertainment and upcoming competitions. And they were chosen for every taste. Master classes are traditionally expected from experienced aeronauts. Everyone can not only watch how the balls rise into the air, but also rise to heaven in a basket.

The main highlight of the event is the parade of balloons of the original form. Dreamers and inventors from year to year innovate, giving their ships an original appearance. All 9 days of the festival, from the launch pads you can see how the characters of fairy tales, cartoons and computer games rise to the clouds. There are also many variations on free themes. Either way, this is a spectacle not to be missed.

In addition, festival guests love night flights. They are held not specifically at night, but in the wee hours. The aeronauts raise their ships as high as possible, and the audience admires the reflections of the still night sky and the glow on the canvases of the balloons.

It goes without saying that in addition to flying, many other events are held at the park site. Master classes are arranged, various attractions are installed, musicians, acrobats, magicians perform. Gastronomy representatives from all over the country come to Albuquerque to treat visitors with their products. In general, the balloon festival is more like a global fair. With only one difference - a lot of aircraft in the sky. This year, about 600 participants are expected, who are quite ambitious.

On one of the days of the festival, a massive flash mob is held, when all the balloons rise into the sky in two “parties”. This mass and grandeur is breathtaking.

Well, the cherry on the cake is a large-scale fireworks display on the last day of the festival. This evening the sky is painted not only with the colors of balloons, but also with bright flashes.

We solve organizational issues

To get from Ukraine to the city of Albuquerque, USA, you should apply for a visa category B1 / B2 indicating the purpose of the trip "tourism". Having received the coveted document, order plane tickets. Despite the fact that Albuquerque Airport is the central one in the state of New Mexico, getting here by a direct flight from Ukraine will not work. You will have to make at least two transfers in Chicago, Stockholm, Munich, Amsterdam, Toronto or in a number of other cities. Variations are plentiful. Another option is to take a direct flight to Los Angeles or New York and from there take a train to Albuquerque.

From the airport or from the railway station to the festival site can be reached by taxi or metro. But it is better to go straight to the hotel. His reservation for the festival period should be taken care of in advance. The festival is popular and is considered the largest international event in the States. That is why places in hotels and hostels are sold out in advance. You can rent a room here from 1,500 to 7,000 hryvnia per day. It all depends on the area and the level of comfort.

Video - Fancy Balloons in Albuquerque

The cost of an entrance ticket for one session for guests from 12 years old is $10. The visiting system is posted on the official website of the event, where you can immediately order the necessary tickets. In general, the festival consists of 14 sessions. On each of the 9 days of the event, there is a morning session and 5 evening sessions. The park opens at 4:30 am for the morning session and at 3:30 pm for the evening session, closing around 9:00 pm. It is not necessary to be in the park all the time, because you can see balloons flying into the sky from other, adjacent areas of the city.

Visitors come to New Mexico every year to see the magic. Huge, but at the same time light balls soar into the air. Who knows, maybe this year you will be lucky enough to see a new record - the largest balloon in the world. And without this, in the open-air park for more than a week you can admire a fairy tale. And feel like a conqueror of the world, having risen to where you can see all the beauty of autumn nature.

The Albuquerque Aeronaut Festival is currently in what is called its prime. It has already passed the stage of formation, when no more than 13 balls rose into the sky. Now the festival site covers an area of 54 football fields, and the last time it was attended by 250 pilots from around the world and even from New Zealand. Currently Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is considered one of the largest air shows in America.

The festival program includes various competitions, a competition for the most unusual balloon, meetings with pilots and also pleasure flights in hot air balloons, evening shows with rich illumination.

Every morning at 5.45 the festival will be opened by Dawn Patrol. This show became possible to hold 30 years ago. In 1978, a California aeronaut developed a system to fly a hot air balloon at night. Since then, this "morning" has appeared - aeronauts rise into the night sky as high as the light allows you to see the landing site.

Last year, the absolute winners of the festival, who took the first two places, were residents of Texas. The third went to a pilot from New Mexico. The next three places went to pilots from Arizona, Florida and Canada.

One of the most spectacular ballooning holidays in the world will bring balloon lovers from 50 countries to New Mexico.

Every fall, 100,000 people come to Albuquerque to watch hundreds of colorful balloons dance in the sky over the Rio Grande Valley. This sports holiday began about forty years ago with 13 aircraft. Today, about 750 teams of aeronauts take part in the "Aerial Extravaganza" every year. The event takes place on the territory of the Balloon Fiesta Park, where the Aeronautics Museum is also open. Balloon launches are carried out day and night using internal illumination. The daily program ends with colorful fireworks.

The Albuquerque Balloon Festival has the unofficial title of "the most photographed event in the world." Going there, you should definitely take a camera with you - amazing shots are guaranteed.

Ticket price for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is $60. A ride in a hot air balloon - the official "carrier" of the Rainbow Ryders festival - costs $275 per hour.

One of the most famous and largest balloon festivals in the world takes place in the American city of Albuquerque. Every year, in October, the sky above the city resembles a fabulous picture - hundreds and hundreds of various balloons slowly float across it.

1. The first Albuquerque Balloon Festival was held in 1972, when only 13 balloons took to the skies. But since then, everything has changed. Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 3, 2015. (Photo by Lucas Jackson | Reuters):

2. Today, the Albuquerque Balloon Festival has become not only the largest in the world, but also the most photographed event of its kind. (Photo by Lucas Jackson | Reuters):

3. Just imagine that everything happens in a park the size of 54 football fields. (Photo by Lucas Jackson | Reuters):

4. It is interesting that the teams of participants and just the audience are all together. This is the only festival where guests are allowed to walk freely between the balls. (Photo by Lucas Jackson | Reuters):

5. (Photo by Lucas Jackson | Reuters):

6. You will be able to see various balloon competitions, as well as see the most original balloon shows, watch amazing evening shows with illuminated balloons, take to the sky in a hot air balloon and see local attractions. (Photo by Lucas Jackson | Reuters):