Save The Date
Join us October 1-9, 2022, for the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Start your planning for the festivities which all start on Saturday, October 1, and include the magical Mass Ascension! The 50th event schedule is now available on www.balloonfiesta.com. 


Balloon Fiesta Insider
Looking for an opportunity to get involved with Balloon Fiesta? We’re hiring! Balloon Fiesta is searching for individuals, eager to be a part of the largest balloon gathering in the world, and interested in seasonal opportunities with our organization. Available positions include:

  • Field Workers, who help prepare and maintain Balloon Fiesta Park ahead of, during and after the event
  • Equipment Operators who have experience operating forklift type 4 and forklift type 5
  • Assistant Field Manager, someone with experience in leadership that can help to drive set-up efforts at Balloon Fiesta Park for the 50th event

These seasonal positions typically begin in May, June or August and conclude in November. To apply, call Balloon Fiesta’s Office at 505-821-1000 and ask to speak with Damian Duran-Arias.
Sign the Petition - Help New Mexico's Ballooning Community
Albuquerque, popularly known as the Ballooning Capital of the World, is home to some of the world’s best hot-air balloon flying conditions. It is also home to an international commercial airport with an accompanying “Class C” airspace that includes much of Albuquerque, including the area along the Rio Grande Valley. Starting in 2020, a new rule took effect and now to fly in Class C airspace, aircrafts are required to carry ADS-B tracking technology. Unfortunately, because of power limitations in balloons, balloon pilots are unable to utilize this technology when flying, restricting their ability to take flight in Albuquerque. While we don’t anticipate this rule to impact Balloon Fiesta’s October event, it does impact year-round ballooning.

Balloon Fiesta leadership is committed to creating a safe event for pilots and guests. Part of that commitment means supporting pilots’ ability to fly throughout the year and identify safe landing zones, including access to fly and land along the Rio Grande Valley.

As our leadership team continues communication with the Albuquerque Air Traffic Control and other Federal Aviation Administration officials to find a reasonable approach that will resolve the issue for hot air balloon pilots who wish to fly in Albuquerque, we ask that you sign the petition to support the FAA Exemption Request from the Albuquerque’s Balloonist Community. 
Merchandise Update
Up for a challenge? Two new types of puzzles have arrived at Balloon Fiesta’s Gift Shop! The first, our Wooden City Puzzle, is a one-of-a-kind puzzle that contains double-sided, wooden jigsaw pieces, and incorporates non-traditional, character, figures and symbol cut pieces that fit seamlessly into the pattern. The completed puzzle revels a beautiful hot air balloon image on one side, and a detailed wallpaper style pattern on the other. The second, a glow in the dark 300-piece puzzle features colorful balloons taking flight. A fan favorite, the 1,000-piece panoramic puzzle has also been restocked. 

All of these puzzles and merchandise are available on balloonfiestastuff.com or at 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113.
 
Additionally, we’re gearing up to celebrate Balloon Fiesta’s birthday on April 8! And, just in time for the 50th event, we’ll have available some limited edition, 50th merchandise so that you can celebrate with us! Keep an eye on balloonfiestastuff.com for the release of some new sportswear and more.
Inside the Basket
As Balloon Fiesta’s Sponsorship Sales Assistant, Tracey Hawkins helps with a variety of tasks, including processing the contracts of sponsors and assisting with pin designs.

In this month’s Inside the Basket, Tracey talks more about how she became involved with the organization, the most challenging aspects of her job and how those interested in sponsorships can get involved.
March in Ballooning
On March 23, 2004, David Hempleman Adams broke the altitude world record for eight open wicker basket type balloons (AM-11, AM 12, AM-13, AM-08, AM-14, AM-09, AM-15 and AM-10). Hempleman Adams took flight in Greeley, Colorado, reaching a height of 12,557 meters before landing. Read more about his accomplishment, here: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2004/03/23/Hot-air-balloon-record-sought-in-Colorado/43731080072272/
March Photo-of-the-Month
We have received some beautiful pictures of past years' events, submitted through Balloon Fiesta's social media! Below is the photo chosen for March. Thank you to Facebook user Linda Kay Golik!
Do you have a Balloon Fiesta photo that you’re proud of? Share your favorite Balloon Fiesta image on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag our page for a chance to be featured in next month’s newsletter!
Read all about it
Check out the latest media coverage about Balloon Fiesta
Sponsor Spotlight
We’re just over six months out from the 50th Balloon Fiesta, a milestone celebration that will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. And with much excitement surrounding October’s event, the opportunity to promote your brand at the largest annual ballooning event, is still available.  Corporate sponsorships include options ranging from balloon sponsorships to exhibit displays and hospitality tents to host your employees, corporate partners clients and more. For more information on how your organization can get involved, click here: https://balloonfiesta.com/Sponsorship-Opportunities.
For a complete list of Balloon Fiesta sponsors, click here.
Find Us Online
 Official e-newsletter of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil.