Fiesta has always been about Special Events. The
1972 KOB Birthday Party, '73 & '75 World Championships, gas balloon
events, and lots of fun activities. In the early years of Fiesta after the
morning flights were over that was pretty much it for activities at the
field. Not any more.
In 1987 Fiesta produced its first night glow with nearly 300 balloons participating. While this was not the first time a balloon event had put on such a show, it was by far the largest. Suddenly there was something to do in the evening.
Special Shapes, mostly corporate sponsored, had been attending Fiesta for more than a decade. In 1989, building on the success of the now famous Balloon Glow, Fiesta launched a Special Shapes Rodeo. Originally planned as an afternoon flight, the shapes now have their own morning mass ascension days and one evening "Glowdeo".
In the late 1970s and early 1980s gas balloons were invited to Albuquerque to fly a distance competition. Eventually the gas balloons were dropped from Fiesta. Then in 1992 David Levin won the Coupe Gordon Bennett giving the U.S. the right to host the 1993 edition. As in 1972, Albuquerque saw the possibilities in hosting such a prestigious competition. Fiesta aggressively promoted itself as the place to hold the competition. Albuquerque, once again, was able to convince the approach people that they should be the site. Gas balloons were back.
The World Gas Balloon Championship was held during Fiesta in 1994 and a new event, America's Challenge, was started in 1995 just for gas balloons.
Albuquerque is more than flying. The Balloon Federation of America now holds its annual general meeting during the first weekend of Fiesta. Balloon Life in 1986, 87, and 88 hosted a free safety seminar. Balloon Life also brought together balloon manufacturers to discuss issues of mutual interest from 1986 through 1993. For the past three years the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association has hosted educational seminars. Balloon manufacturers, insurance companies, and a variety of other organizations used the time during Fiesta to host meeting and receptions.
The biggest problem during Fiesta now is trying to find time to sleep.
