The Big One was, well, Big. 850 balloons, more than 1200 registered pilots, 100 special shape balloons, and a new, bigger field.

In last year’s report on Fiesta, Balloon Life noted that the move to what had been the north gravel pit would happen but, probably not this year. Once the funding was in place AIBF worked overtime and pulled off the preparations necessary to use the new site. What a job they did! Grounds keeper “Bad-Toe” and his crew, armed with heavy duty equipment, had the new 278 acre site ready on time.

Larger launch sites and paved access roads were big improvements. In the Sponsor’s Tent the master plan for the new Balloon Fiesta State Park was presented with a model and video of what the new facility will look like. The main launch field will have grass and be home to athletic fields during most of the year. A new balloon museum will occupy the site. The grand dream of a permanent home for Fiesta is coming together.

This year the old site was used for parking and off-field competition target areas.

As in previous years when Fiesta moved to a new site there were a few traffic congestion problems, especially for balloonists and their crews. While not major, they will undoubtedly be addressed and corrected by next year.

Not only has the grounds that hold Fiesta grown larger, so has the participation. This year the AIBF Board elected to allow 200 more balloons to enter. After a flap in the spring about some old timers not getting their applications back before newbies, Fiesta offered this year’s primary pilots the chance to sign-up for next year’s event during registration. All you had to do was endorse the returned pilot entry fee check back over to Fiesta. Should Fiesta not expand participation in the future, or even shrink it, there will still be some unhappy pilots who will not be able to participate in the world’s largest balloon event.

As the event has grown, so has Albuquerque. Since leaving the State Fair grounds this makes the fourth move further north to a new Fiesta field. And, likely the last. The new facility should be able to accommodate the event well into the future. Also, there is nowhere else to go. Immediately north of the new location is an Indian Reservation.

Early week competitions closed the only road just north of the balloon field and caused some tension with the Indians. It is hopeful that negotiations might allow some use of Reservation land for competition launches when the Albuquerque Box does not allow the pilots to fly-in from any direction.

The other problem that faces Fiesta is the diminishing landing sites available to balloonists. What long term impact this might have on Fiesta only time will tell.

This year’s event was unusual weather wise for three reasons. First, every day was flyable, not a common occurrence. Second, seven of the nine days the wind was north to south, with little, if any, directional control. Third, the Albuquerque Box was all but non-existent.

On Friday, Key Grab Day, and to lesser extent on Thursday, pilots were able to fly the classic Albuquerque Box. While future Fiestas may well prove me wrong, I believe that Albuquerque is loosing its Box. Some weather experts believe that the high hill on the east side of the field caused a different wind pattern on the surface not experienced at the old sites. I don’t think this is the answer. I believe that a much more fundamental, and permanent change is taking place.

As mentioned above, the town of Albuquerque is growing, in all directions. This growth is having an impact on the wind patterns in the surrounding area. First, the heat engine of the city itself is likely causing a stronger pull to the normal Rio Grande Valley drainage winds which occur early in the morning. Second, the development of the heights to the east is disturbing and altering the drainage from the Sandia Mountains. Third, the West Mesa is also developing rapidly and Rio Rancho’s own heat engine is changing the cooling and heating on the West Mesa which helps to create a circular flow of air with the morning east side drainage.

That said, there is still nothing like a seven-hundred plus balloon mass ascension. With the new larger field Fiesta launch officials were able to orchestrate a dual “runway” flight departure plan. Balloons were launched from both the south and north end of the field at the same time. What a sight! In fact, on the first Sunday Fiesta set a world record by launching 648 balloons in one hour! That broke the previous recorded world record held by Aston Court, Bristol, England of 128 hot air balloons.

That wasn’t the only record to be broken. Fiesta competition winners took home approximately $200,000 in cash and prizes, including a new home, car, hot air balloons, cash, and other prizes.

A new event was added this year. Sivage-Thomas Homes, together with First Security Bank, and a title company, gave away a brand new three bedroom, two bath house. Thursday was house grab day. In addition to the normal array of on-field targets and money balloons, each pilot had a baggie to try and toss down a chimney for a new house.

Standing twenty feet tall with an opening of about one foot square the chimney stood ready at the south end of the flagged target area. Once the Special Shape balloons had left the field in their own competition, and their own chimney, seven- hundred or so regular shaped balloons began the assault.

Richard Abruzzo arrived in the target area a little low, rounding out about five or ten feet below the dirt. As he recoiled back into the air he passed the chimney, gave it a bear hug and, slam-dunked his baggie down the chimney. No house for Richard, he was disqualified for touching the ground.

Many got close. Many hit the top lip of the chimney with their baggie only to watch it bounce off and away. Still three pilots at the on field chimney and one of the Special Shape pilots were successful in placing their marker inside.

At the awards ceremony on Saturday all four pilots had an equal chance. They each drew a key to unlock the door on stage. Each tried their key. The door would not unlock until the last to try, Dan Hoehler of House Springs, Missouri, stepped up, unlocked, and walked through to his new home, valued at $100,000.

On Friday the Pontiac Key grab saw a repeat of the previous day’s favorable box like winds. Richard Abruzzo learned from his previous mistake and glided past the car pole snatching the key to a new $20,000 Pontiac.

At the awards ceremony on Saturday his acceptance speech turned into a gift to a charity in Albuquerque. Abruzzo, who has once before won the key grab at Fiesta, said he and his wife would donate the car to a charity in Albuquerque. Abruzzo and the Mayor would meet the following week to select a charity and determine how the donation would be made. It is likely that the car will be auction/raffled off with the proceeds going to the lucky group.

One other change to the competition this year. Instead of four days of targets, pilots had targets on all five week days. Winning Fiesta and taking home a new Aerostar Rally 8 balloon with double Zone Five burners with a point total of 4911 out of a possible 5000 was Brad Hyde of Canada. Douglas Maguire from England was second, winning an Aerostar Aurora 69.

The new larger launch site, more balloons, more people, and more benefits for the pilots has continued the Fiesta tradition of being the Big One. The event has so many functions that it is impossible to do everything. Flying events of every imagination, endless meetings, parties on and off field, and charm of Albuquerque and its surrounding area provide endless opportunities to enjoy, or overload, on balloons in the land of enchantment.

The greatest show on earth will return next October for its 26th edition.