The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a massive gathering of balloonists from around the world, occurring in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the first week of October. The event lasts approximately one week and includes nearly 1000 hot air balloons with pilots from throughout the United States and the world. The balloon fiesta began as a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, but has grown each year since and today is the largest balloon convention in the world.

During the convention, several different events occur: mass ascensions, special shapes ascensions, night glows, and a variety of balloon competitions. The convention has also become a major showcase of New Mexican culture and history and features numerous cultural exhibitions. The fiesta has become a major event in Albuquerque every fall, attracting tourists from across the state, the nation, and even the world. The fiesta is one of Albuquerque's largest tourist attractions and constitutes a major source of income for the city and local businesses. Typically, tourists and fiesta visitors take thousands of pictures of the balloons, so it is no surprise that for several years the fiesta was sponsored by Kodak and was given the title, the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, though that title was usually only used in print ads and on official memorabilia. Kodak no longer sponsors the fiesta, and the official name has returned to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

The actual balloon fiesta park from which the balloons are launched is located on the western side of the city. Currently, the city is constructing the multi-million dollar Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum on the grounds, which will recount the last three decades of the convention, as well as a general history of ballooning. It is scheduled to open in October 2005.

External link

• Official AIBF site