Amazing Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Del Amo Flyers finally were able to complete the fly-in to Albuquerque and attend the amazing International Balloon Fiesta. The DAFers arrived in Albuquerque in eight private planes and a few commercial flights for a total of twenty-one people. After arriving on Friday, we were hosted by Palmer’s sons-in-law at his brewery in downtown Albuquerque, Boese Brothers Brewery. Here we were all intrigued by the tour of the brewery and knowledge of the brewing and distilling processes.


Early, very early, Saturday morning we all boarded the buses to the Balloon Fiesta.
The pre- dawn and morning were filled with amazing sights.

The pre-dawn started with an animated drone show. The balloons were lying flat on the field in the darkness, and then it started.
The Dawn Patrol balloons started to fill with hot air.
It was beautiful site to watch choreographed inflation and launch of twelve balloons up in the sky.

With the Dawn Patrol balloons floating in the pre-dawn sky the Morning Glow started. Several hundred balloons on the field’s grass had a static display as the flickered their burner to light up their balloons.

We watched wave after wave of beautiful colorful balloons glow. To continue the amazing display, orchestrated waves of balloons were launched into the sky. There were about 500 hot air balloons that participated in the balloon fiesta including about a hundred special shaped hot air balloons. We saw multiple animals, Darth Vader, devil, and even a VW bus shaped balloons.

Sunday morning many of us had a nice farm fresh breakfast at Comp Restaurant at Los Poblanos.
Los Poblanos is a historic inn and organic farm. The ranch is from the 1930’s.
After breakfast most of the DAFers departed Albuquerque for home.

The sights of the beautiful display of hot air balloons fresh on our memories.