Balloon Fiesta: July 2019 Newsletter

Balloon Fiesta Insider

America's Challenge, one of Balloon Fiesta's most exciting competitions, is back! This event challenges some of the most skilled gas balloon pilots from around the world to reach new distances, launching from our very own Balloon Fiesta. The pilot teams will launch from Balloon Fiesta Park and will continue their journey into other states as they hope to be the competitor with the furthest distance.

Interested in attending the launch? America's Challenge balloons are scheduled to inflate and launch at Balloon Fiesta on Saturday, October 5. For more information on this race, click here.

Merchandise Update

We're excited to announce that the Official 2019 Balloon Fiesta Serigraph Poster has arrived! This year's poster titled "Lunch Launch" is the second story in a four-part series that features Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. The chase, which began in the 2018 poster, continues into yet another gorgeous and colorful Balloon Fiesta scene. To learn more about the poster, click here.

Posters will be available for purchase online , at Balloon Fiesta's Gift Shop located at 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 and at the official merchandise tents at this year's event. Signed posters will be available for $150 on July 19 . Unsigned posters will be available on July 19 for $75.

Inside the Basket

Daniel Killen, Official Balloon Fiesta Serigraph Poster Artist

Daniel Killen is the artist of the 2019

Official Balloon

Fiesta Serigraph Poster. He is also an illustrator at the Chuck Jones Gallery, which owns the rights to many of the loveable Looney Tunes characters, including Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.

In this month's Inside the Basket, Daniel talks about this year's poster and what makes it unique.

July in Ballooning

On July 31, 1901, Dr. Arthur Berson and Professor Reinhard Suring set a new altitude record, flying to an altitude of 35,432 feet. The two, who took flight to study the Stratosphere, breathed oxygen through tubes. They were able to take a series of temperature and pressure readings before landing safely.

July Photo-of-the-Month

We have received some beautiful pictures of last year's event, submitted through Balloon Fiesta's social media! Below is the photo chosen for July. Thank you @Ericsyzf600!

Do you have a favorite Balloon Fiesta photo? Share it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag our page for a chance to be featured in next month's newsletter!

Sponsor Spotlight

The United Family ^® is a grocery chain located in 53 communities across New Mexico and Texas that operates under five unique brands: Albertsons Market, Market Street, United Supermarkets , Amigos and United Express. A distribution center, Llano Logistics, and Prater's, a manufacturing facility are also part of the company.

This is the second year for Albertson's Market to participate as the Official Supermarket of Balloon Fiesta. Participating in Balloon Fiesta provides their team with an opportunity to engage within the communities they serve, with visitors from around the world and with familiar faces from their stores. We thank them for their support!