The dictionary says that fiesta
means celebration. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the grandest
celebration of balloons to be found anywhere. Balloon Fiesta has become
a convention for ballooning, a place where people can meet, talk, fly together,
and celebrate.
The tone of what Fiesta has become was set in 1976. With the serious competition of the World Championship behind them, a new school of thought evolved. Bob Ruppenthal was named Balloonmeister. His goal was to have fun first. The new motto became, "The pilot that has the most fun is the one that wins."
Parades, parties, or just doing your own individual thing, Fiesta allows participants to let it all out for nine days every October. In the late 70s and early 80s when the Holiday Inn at I-40 and 25 was the host hotel for Fiesta a large beer tent occupied the front parking lot. For many it seemed like Fiesta was a 24 hour party.
There used to be a Welcome Party, Barbecue Party, Zoo Party, Awards Party, and the infamous Toga Party. With an increase in events at the field and increased number of balloon participants the number of "official" parties has dwindled. Today, only the Zoo Party remains, the Award Party having been reduced to a tailgate picnic on the field.
But that has not stopped Fiesta attendees from having a great time. In fact, AIBF presents the Spirit of Fiesta Award each year to a pilot who is voted by his or her peers as exemplifying the spirit of Fiesta.
