2022 Official Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Program

®

Net zero greenhouse gas emissions in New Mexico by 2030 delivers a brighter energy future.

ExxonMobil is honored to be the Presenting Sponsor of the Golden Anniversary of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, taking our support of this world-renowned tradition to new heights.

As a leading energy producer in New Mexico, we are focused on responsibly developing the state’s resources and doing our part to help realize New Mexicans’ aspirations for a prosperous and sustainable future. This includes our aim to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions for our unconventional operations in the state by 2030.

Follow us to learn more about what we’re doing today for a brighter energy future tomorrow.

ExxonMobilNewMexico

Proudly

SPONSOR

ING

3 NEW MEXIC O LOC ATIONS

O O O

3709 Ellison Rd NW 2270 Wyoming Blvd NE 2670 Coors Blvd NW

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PHILLIPS 66 IS PROUD TO SPONSOR THE 2022 ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA.

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Proud to call Albuquerque home today.

And every day.

Today is an opportunity to start another great chapter in the story of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Let’s make it count.

pnc.com ©2022 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 0618-0106

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

“With the advent of this, the First Annual KOB International Balloon Festival, a new, tremendous, spectacular tourist attraction has been added to the wonders of Albuquerque and New Mexico. For today is just the beginning” . . .

S

o begins the very first article in the very first (1972) Balloon Fiesta program, an eight-page, mimeographed (this was before copiers!), quickly-assembled guide to what today is known as the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®. For a quarter, spectators could snap up their very own copy.

As you will learn in these pages, this first gathering of balloons from around the nation was thrown together in less than two weeks. KOB, one of the first radio stations in the US when it began broadcasting in 1922, was celebrating its 50th anniversary and wanted to create something memorable. With the help of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (the local balloon club), members of the community, and most notably Sid Cutter -- that “chamber of commerce

guy,” an aviator and aeronaut with big dreams and extraordinary vision -- it happened, and changed Albuquerque and New Mexico forever.

Before 1972, October was just another month in Albuquerque. For local business people, it was time for a breather between the hectic State Fair crunch and the gear-up for the holiday rush. Weekends might be spent in the mountains looking at the changing leaves or taking advantage of the apple and chile harvests. In the clear, crisp early morning skies there was nary a balloon in sight.

What a difference 50 years makes! October in Albuquerque is now synonymous with balloons, hundreds of them, a canopy of color, a child’s fantasy of bunches of balloons suddenly released into a clear blue sky. On the business side, it generates hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for local businesses in Albuquerque and New Mexico.

We don’t have a record of who wrote that first article in 1972, but whoever it was had a pretty good crystal ball. “It is our hope,” they wrote, “that this will become an annual event…the culmination of a week of activities… perhaps a golf tournament… a ball… a queen contest… a fiesta... all gathered into one week of great attractions.”

All of these have been part of the Balloon Fiesta at one time or another.

The author went on to say, “Tomorrow, we begin our next year. We welcome ideas, participants, and interest from every civic-minded individual and organization…”

As we begin our next 50 years, we echo that sentiment.

We have had the privilege, over the past five decades, of living the magic and telling the story of the Balloon Fiesta. We invite you, through these pages, to discover that magic, and hope you’ll be inspired to become part of the story for the next 50 years.

Kim Vesely Editor Wally Book, Dick Brown, John C. Davis, IV, Jennifer Garcia, Jacqueline Hockey, Charlotte Kinney, Rod May, Tom McConnell, M.D., Lisa Mulder, Lynne Newton, Sam Parks, Stephanie Prendergast, Paul Rhetts, Dick Rice, Harry Season, John Sena, Paul Smith, Mark Sullivan, Al Tetreault, Ken Tuley, Ty Young: program authors and members of the AIBF Heritage Committee

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

WELCOME LETTERS From the AIBF President ............................. 12 From ExxonMobil ......................................... 14 From the Governor of New Mexico ............ 16 From the Mayor of Albuquerque ................ 18 OF INTEREST Schedule of Events ......................................20 Survival Guide Map......................................26 2022 Sponsors ............................................28 AIBF Timeline ...............................................48 How A Hot Air Balloon Works ...................134 Poem: La Fiesta de Los Globos ................ 173 Public Safety.............................................. 208 Safety Tips .................................................. 212 Officials ....................................................... 213 Board of Directors .................................... 229 2022 Staff ................................................... 231 Worlds of Fiesta......................................... 246 Balloon Museum ....................................... 250 Photo Tips................................................... 251 People Who Make It Happen ................... 262 Heritage Award.......................................... 269 Stats/Fun Facts .........................................270 In Memoriam ..............................................272 THE DECADES The 1970s .....................................................32 The 1980s ....................................................116 The 1990s ...................................................154 The 2000s .................................................200 The 2010s .................................................. 232 The 2020s ................................................. 254 DIRECTORIES 2022 Balloon Directory ...............................73 Participating Pilots.....................................104 Additional Pilots .........................................106 International Pilots .................................... 110 Special Shape Directory ........................... 145 25TH AMERICA’S CHALLENGE Gas Directory .............................................180 Gas Officials & Records.............................182 The Making of the America’s Challenge .184 Epic Flights .................................................188 About Gas Ballooning ...............................190 How a Gas Balloon Works .........................194 Pilot Retrospectives...................................196

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

22 Music Fiesta is Back!

34 1972 36 Meet Sid Cutter 52 The Original 13

Featuring Cole Swindell, Lainey Wilson and Restless Road.

The Balloon Fiesta that Started It all.

Founder of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

In 1972 Sid Cutter agreed to organize a southwestern-style Hare-and-Hound balloon race that he dubbed Roadrunner-Coyote balloon race. Today we know it as the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

62 One Mile Up and Still On the Ground

What was it like to fly in the very first Balloon Fiesta? One of the “Original 13” tells his story.

70 Lights in the Darkness

On a cold October day in 1978, in the pre-dawn darkness, two California balloonists made history – and no doubt startled a few Albuquerque early risers – by ascending into the sunrise on the first flight ever of the Dawn Patrol.

112 The Women of Balloon Fiesta

Since the beginning of Balloon Fiesta there have been hundreds of women, mostly behind the scenes, who have helped ensure a successful and memorable event.

126 Fields of Color

Each of the Balloon Fiesta’s launch sites had its own personality and each played a distinct role in the event’s history.

133 Ballooning: A Spectator Sport 140 Getting into Shapes: The Special Shape Rodeo Flying a balloon may be easier than watching one.

To realize the significance that the Special Shape rodeo has had on the Balloon Fiesta, you need to go back to 1986.

Where there is Wonder Joy will Follow!

www.WonderBread.com

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

164 There’s Nothing Like Being There 168 Balloon Fiesta Navigators 174 Balloon Faces of Balloon Fiesta

Reprinted from the 1992 Balloon Fiesta Program

About Our Photographers On a list of the most photographed events in the world, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is right up there. Some studies have named Balloon Fiesta as the most photographed event, besting such classics as the Tournament of Roses Parade. What’s sure, for filmshooting classicists and cell phone selfie photo bombers alike, the Balloon Fiesta is irresistible.

This visual impact has been a great thing when it comes to documenting the Balloon Fiesta’s development over the last halfcentury. We’re proud to display the many photographs taken over the years by our incredibly talented official photographers (three of whom – Paul DeBerjeois, Marlon Long, and Cindy Petrehn – have sadly left us). The Balloon Fiesta’s new book, 50 Years of Balloon Magic, contains some of their best work, and you can get your copy through the Balloon Fiesta’s online store.

However, for photos of the Balloon Fiesta’s earlier history, we’ve relied on a select group of balloonist/photographers whose work is invaluable to documenting the history of the event and of ballooning in New Mexico. Balloon Fiesta historians Dick Brown, Tom McConnell, and Kim Vesely all contributed photos from their personal collections. But we especially want to acknowledge our fellow balloonist and friend the late Bill Flynt, from Roswell.

While flying in events across the country, Bill took amazing photos; creating probably the most complete visual history of this exciting time. Our thanks to Suzi Flynt Manus, Bill’s widow and herself a fine balloon pilot, for allowing us to use some of his photos, and to balloonist Eric Hodges, the custodian of Bill’s collection, for making them available to us.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Let your inner compass guide you to be a Balloon Fiesta Navigator.

Thousands of hot air balloons have flown in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta over the years, all beautiful, many unique and creative.

But through the years, some became especially identified with the event, as Balloon Fiesta historian Tom McConnell recounts.

176 The Chase Crew 214 Zebras Grazing

Don’t leave home without them!

Launch Directors – affectionately known as “Zebras” because of their blackand-white uniforms – are perhaps the Balloon Fiesta’s most visible ambassadors.

218 Red Jacket Officials 224 Games Balloonists Play & Video: Field Announcers and Balloon Fiesta Live!

240 Voices Oft overlooked flight operations teams.

Balloon Fiesta competition history.

There’s nothing like being on the field in person, but for those who can’t get to Albuquerque, Balloon Fiesta Live! is the next best thing.

252 Pins, Patches and Other Daubles of Affection 260 Fiesta de Los Globitos, the “Mini Balloon Fiesta” Updated from the 2010 Balloon Fiesta program.

Sam Parks, Balloon Fiesta’s Director of Operations and former Balloonmeister, describes how this new event for remote-controlled (RC) hot air balloons began and is becoming the Balloon Fiesta’s latest – and popular! -- attraction.

For an enhanced experience, scan the QR codes on these icons throughout the program to access additional information and content!

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Welcome from the President, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

O

n behalf of the Board of Directors, our hundreds of Navigators (volunteers), and our super staff, it is my great privilege and honor to welcome everyone to the greatest ballooning event in the world. This year, we celebrate a historic milestone, “50 years of Balloon Fiesta”, and we have prepared an exciting and wonderful event for you.

This is the time of year when the air gets crisp and cool, the smell of green chile being roasted infects the air, and “Gentle Giants” appear by the hundreds. The colors are bright and fantastic as they can be only at Balloon Fiesta time in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the “balloon capital of the world.”

Come enjoy our events, from mass ascensions and nighttime glows to the unique gas balloons, and onward to our spectacular special shapes. Enjoy our balloon flying competitions during the week, where you can cheer on your favorite balloon or pilot to victory.

Visit our vendors; try unique cultural foods from New Mexico. Thank our sponsors for their part in making the Balloon Fiesta possible. While in the Albuquerque area, visit our local businesses, attractions, and restaurants.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Most of all, meet and greet the balloonists and crews from all over the world who make the Balloon Fiesta so spectacular.

We have come a long way from our small, modest beginning in the Coronado Mall parking lot in 1972, when 13 balloons inflated for the first Balloon Fiesta. It is so important that we remember our history, but most importantly, that we remember the people who got us here. Over the years, many directors, volunteers, pilots and crews, and members of staff have worked tirelessly and selflessly to put on this great event. Please take the time to say “thank you” when you see them for all their efforts and successes.

A big ballooning “Thank You” goes out to everyone attending the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Again “Welcome and Enjoy.”

Al Tetreault President, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Time FLIES when you’re having fun Congratulations Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® on your 50th Anniversary!

- Thomas Bohlman, Managing Partner

8900 Pan American Freeway, N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87113

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Welcome from the New Mexico Production Manager, ExxonMobil Welcome to the 2022 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil. We are honored to serve as the Presenting Sponsor for one of New Mexico’s most well-known and enchanting traditions.

Since 2019, we’ve had the honor of supporting this world renowned event and are excited to take our sponsorship to new heights as we join the ballooning community, New Mexicans, and visitors from around the world in celebrating Balloon Fiesta’s golden anniversary.

From its modest beginnings in 1972 with just 13 pilots launching from a shopping mall parking lot, Balloon Fiesta has grown over the past 50 years into the largest and most photographed hot air balloon festival in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually who come to experience not just the magic of the Fiesta but also the charm that New Mexico has to offer. This 9-day series of festivities now plays a vital role in fueling the local and regional economy, and we are honored to help power this incredible economic engine.

Energy plays an important role in New Mexico, and as a leading

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

energy producer here, we are focused on developing the state’s resources responsibly and in a manner that supports the preservation of its environment and unparalleled natural beauty. Our ambition, like those early balloonists, are equally bold: to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) for our unconventional operations in the state by 2030.

Balloon Fiesta – perhaps better than any other event – showcases the true beauty of the Land of Enchantment. On behalf of our employees who work and live in New Mexico, I’d like to offer our sincerest thanks to the Fiesta staff, balloonists, volunteers and local businesses for making this special event a success. We look forward to another truly spectacular Fiesta and wish you the most memorable experience as the 50th anniversary lifts off!

Rick Cannon Rick Cannon

Production Manager ExxonMobil New Mexico

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Welcome from the Governor of New Mexico

B

ienvenidos and Welcome to the Land of Enchantment!

There’s no better way to describe a visit to New Mexico than Adventure Steeped in Culture – it’s what makes us New Mexico True.

This year, we are especially grateful to celebrate the 50th anniversary of New Mexico’s signature event and the very definition of New Mexico True -- the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

For 50 years, people from around the globe have traveled to New Mexico each October to watch the world’s largest gathering of balloonists take to the skies above Albuquerque. This year, we are happy to welcome you back with open arms and a friendly spirit.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Whether you call New Mexico home or you’re a New Mexican at heart, I invite you to indulge in everything that our state has to offer. Visit a new restaurant to try some red or green chile (or both!). Take a stroll down any of our trails or open spaces. Get an early jump on your holiday shopping by supporting our local artists and merchants. Make it an adventure by visiting some truly one-of-a-kind New Mexico destinations.

Thank you for joining us and I hope you have a memorable experience here in New Mexico.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Welcome from the Mayor of Albuquerque

I

’m so happy to welcome folks from all over the world to our city for the 50th Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. What a milestone. From a small celebration by a local radio station, featuring 13 balloons in 1972, to now the largest Hot Air Festival in the world, it is truly a sight to see.

The visuals in store, from the imaginative special shapes balloons to the spectacular evening Glowdeo, can’t be found anywhere else. Starting before the sun rises with the Dawn Patrol balloonists, followed by a mass ascension of more balloons than you can count, the fiesta is a showcase of Albuquerque’s unique culture and personality.

Thanks to our renowned Albuquerque box wind patterns, balloonists travel from all over the globe to put on an incredible show that can be seen from all over our city. Enjoying the Balloon Fiesta includes different activities for everyone, whether it is enjoying the sights from afar, like from the top of our Sandia Peak Tramway, or right in the thick of the action at the Balloon Fiesta Park.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

While in Albuquerque, make sure to take some time to enjoy the culture that is so unique and celebrated here. It’s a joy every year to welcome guests to special places like Old Town and the Hispanic and Indian Cultural Centers to experience the rich history and heritage of our town. The Balloon Fiesta is a great opportunity to take in all that Albuquerque has to offer; cuisine, local art, unique museums of all kinds, flame roasted green chile, the great landscapes of New Mexico, and more.

Thank you for taking part in this special tradition, and for celebrating 50 years of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with us!

Timothy M. Keller Mayor

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Schedule of Events FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 7:00 a.m.

Albuquerque Aloft SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 5:45 am Aerial Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino

6:00 pm Twilight Twinkle Glow™, presented by Albuquerque Journal

8:00 - Noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 9:00 am Fiesta of Wheels Car Show (located on north end of Launch Field)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 6:00 am Dawn Patrol 7:00 am Double Balloon Launch and Competition

10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction

8:00 - Noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

7:45 pm Aerial Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino

11:00 am Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Group Tour Tent north end of Main Street)

10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction

8:00 pm* AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show

3:00 - 6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

6:45 am Opening Ceremonies

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2

5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

7:00 am Mass Ascension

5:45 am Aerial Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino

6:00 pm Balloon Glow, powered by ExxonMobil

6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort

7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort 6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

8:00 - Noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction 2:00 pm America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Inflation 3:00 - 6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

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6:00 pm America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race Launch

7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow 7:00 am Mass Ascension 7:30 – 11 am Fiestas de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

7:45 pm Aerial Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 8:00 pm* AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4 COCA-COLA DAY 6:00 am Dawn Patrol 7:00 am Double Balloon Launch and Competition 8:00 - Noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5 6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort 6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

6:00 pm Special Shape Glowdeo™

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 – ExxonMobil Day

7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

5:45 am Aerial Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino

7:45 pm Aerial Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino

7:00 am Flight of Nations Mass Ascension, presented by New Mexico True

8:00 pm* AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show

7:30 – 11 am Fiestas de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

8:00 - Noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 KIDS’ DAY presented by KOB-TV 4:30 am Kids’ Day Goodie Bag Distribution begins (South of Main Street Stage) 6:00 am Dawn Patrol 7:00 am Special Shape Rodeo™ 7:00 am Double Balloon Launch and Competition 8:00 - Noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction 3:00 - 6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

6:00 am Dawn Patrol 7:00 am Special Shape Rodeo™ 7:00 am Double Balloon Launch and Competition 7:30 – 11 am Fiestas de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition) 8:00 - Noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction 3:00 - 6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving 6:00 pm Special Shape Glowdeo™ 7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving 7:45 pm Aerial Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino

6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort 6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

7:45 pm Aerial Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 8:00 pm* AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 5:45 am Aerial Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino

7:00 am Mass Ascension, powered by ExxonMobil

6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort

8:00 - Noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction

7:00 am Farewell Mass Ascension, sponsored by News Radio 770 KKOB

11:00 am Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Group Tour Tent north end of Main Street) 1:00 – 5:00 pm Music Fiesta 3:00 - 6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving 6:00 pm Night Magic™ Glow, powered by ExxonMobil 6:00 pm Fiestas de Los Globitos Glow (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition) 7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

8:00 - Noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition * AfterGlow™ fireworks shows will begin as soon as the launch field is clear of balloons, thus the starting times are approximate and subject to change without notice.

Additionally, local police will modify traffic flows to utilize all traffic lanes for outbound traffic only at the conclusion of each Glow event. So if you want to watch the AfterGlow™ fireworks shows from the Park, plan to arrive at the Park in time for that evening’s glow event.

8:00 pm* AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

21

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

MUSIC FIESTA

IS BACK! FEATURING COLE SWINDELL • LAINEY WILSON • RESTLESS ROAD

I

f you’re a country music fan, Balloon Fiesta Park is the place to be on the second Saturday in October! Over the years Music Fiesta, which premiered in 2013, has welcomed amazing musical artists such as Darius Rucker, Old Dominion, Chris Young, the Band Perry, and more, and this year promises to be just as much fun! Plan to stay afterward for the Night Magic Balloon Glow and AfterGlow Fireworks!

Cole Swindell Grammy-nominated multi-Platinum superstar Cole Swindell has played on some of the biggest stages in the world -- including making history as part of the first-ever live radio and TV broadcast from the 57th floor terrace of 4 World Trade Center, overlooking the Freedom Tower, where he performed his hit “You Should Be Here.” Swindell has played high-profile national performances on some of

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

television’s most popular shows (“Today”! “The Ellen Degeneres Show”! “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”! to name a few). He toured with some of the biggest stars in country music including Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, and Dierks Bentley before becoming a star in his own right, headlining his own dates.

In the seven years since his debut on Warner Music Nashville, Swindell has racked up an impressive 10 No. 1 singles, 11 No. 1 singles as a songwriter, and a one billion+ audience-reaching single (“You Should Be Here”), nine certified Platinum singles (two singles at 2x Platinum); a Platinum-certified debut album (Cole Swindell) and a Gold-certified sophomore album (You Should Be Here). His massive No. 1 hit “Break Up In The End” was named the NSAI Song of the Year (2019).

Swindell recently released his 12th career single “Never Say Never,” a duet with his friend and Music Fiesta performer Lainey Wilson.

Lainey Wilson Academy of Country Music (ACM) New Female of the Year 2022 winner, Louisiana native Lainey Wilson is a fresh, fierce voice, one of Nashville’s hottest and most buzzed-about new artists. Already, she’s won over legions of fans with her signature Bell Bottom Country sound and aesthetic, which blends traditional country with a modern yet retro flare. Lainey is on nearly every “Artist to Watch” list, winning MusicRow Magazine’s Discovery Artist of the Year award and being crowned Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2021.” Nearly ten years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper-trailer to chase her dreams, Lainey landed her first No. 1 with her Platinum-Certified ACM Song of the Year, “Things A Man Oughta Know,” and she’s had many more hits since then. She’s a prolific and sought-after songwriter, has performed around the globe with some of the most notable names in country music, and her current single, “Never Say Never” with Music Fiesta headliner Cole Swindell, is making a fervent climb up the charts.

Restless Road Made up of the three different but complementary voices -- Zach Beeken, Colton Pack, and Garrett Nichols -- country band Restless Road is “one of the most intriguing and exciting acts of the year” (Wide Open Country). The trio’s powerhouse harmonies and soul-baring lyrics put them on numerous 2021 “Ones to Watch” lists, with all signs indicating Restless Road is a contender for best new vocal group. Zach and Colton originally joined forces after meeting on a singing competition, and when Garrett came onboard in 2015, they knew they had something special. Their hits include “Take Me Home,” featuring Kane Brown, “Took One Look At Her Momma,” which American Songwriter praised for its “captivating melody and lyrics”, and “Growing Old With You” a chart-topper they also performed as a feature on ABC’s “The Bachelor”.

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

23

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE Saturday, October 1 6:45am – National Anthem: The Choir from the Cathedral of St. John 9:00am – 10:00am – Mountain Top Rock 5:00pm – 6:00pm – USAF Academy Band 5:00pm – 7:00pm – Various Strolling Performers along Main Street 8:00pm – 9:00pm – Tylor Brandon

Sunday, October 2 7:00am – National Anthem: USAF Academy Band 9:00am – 10:00am - USAF Academy Band 5:00pm – 6:00pm – Black Pearl Band 5:00pm – 7:00pm – Various Strolling Performers along Main Street 8:00pm – 9:00pm - Cellicion Traditional Dancers (Zuni Pueblo) - Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Monday, October 3 7:00am – National Anthem: Bobby Garcia

Tuesday, October 4 7:00am – National Anthem: The New MexiChords

Wednesday, October 5 7:00am – National Anthem: Ambrosia Romo

The fun begins at 1 PM, and Music Fiesta fans may choose from among a wide variety of ticket options, including our “Dance Box”, a grassy area right in front of the stage for those who want to kick off their shoes and dance all afternoon! Full details and tickets are available at Balloon Fiesta gates or through the Balloon Fiesta website, www.balloonfiesta.com.

Thursday, October 6 7:00am – National Anthem: New Mexico Philharmonic Young Musician Initiative 9:00am – 10:00am - Sky City Buffalo Ram Dancers (Acoma) - Indian Pueblo Cultural Center 5:00pm – 6:00pm - Big K & Blue Train 5:00pm – 7:00pm – Various Strolling Performers along Main Street 8:00om – 9:00pm - Entourage Jazz

Friday, October 7 7:00am – National Anthem: Brittany Graham 9:00am – 10:00am - Nathaniel Krantz 5:00pm – 6:00pm - The Panhandlers 5:00pm – 7:00pm – Various Strolling Performers along Main Street 8:00pm – 9:00pm - Mirage - A Santana Experience

Saturday, October 8

MUSIC FIESTA TICKET OPTIONS ABQ “Dance” Box Ticket required for persons of all ages

$75

Reserved Seating A and C Ticket required for persons of all ages x

$65

Reserved Seating E Ticket required for persons of all ages

$60

Reserved Seating D and F Ticket required for persons of all ages

$55

Premier Lawn Area (Children 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult)

$30

General Admission (Children 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult)

$15

7:00am – National Anthem: 44th Army Band 9:00am – 10:00am - 44th Army Band 5:00pm – 7:00pm – Various Strolling Performers along Main Street 8:00pm – 9:00pm - Brandon Saiz

Sunday, October 9 7:00am – National Anthem: UNM Concert Choir

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

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GATES

TICKET BOOTHS

ENTERTAINMENT 1) MAIN STREET STAGE 2) CHAINSAW CARVERS 3) ARTISANS TENT 4) MUSIC FIESTA

OFFICIAL PARK LOCATIONS A) GONDOLA CLUB B) SPONSOR HOSPITALITY C) CORPORATE VILLAGE D) SID CUTTER PILOTS’ PAVILION E) CHASERS’ CLUB F) GROUP TOURS HOSPITALITY G) PNC BANK BALLOON DISCOVERY CENTER H) FIESTA SKY BOX

M) OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE TENTS

SPECIAL AREAS A) VISIT ALBUQUERQUE MEDIA TENT B) BALLOON MANUFACTURERS C) VISIT ALBUQUERQUE & NEW MEXICO TRUE VISITOR INFORMATION D) BALLOON RIDES TENT

INFORMATION

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Sponsors Presenting Sponsor

Sponsors

ExxonMobil

505 Southwestern, LLC A Virtual Receptionist, Inc. Abba Technologies, Inc. AKIMA Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program AMERIND Benefits, LLC ANM Arizona Tile Arkansas Tourism Development Foundation Baca’s Trees, Inc. Banterra Aircraft Finance BNSF Railway Company Bobby J’s Yamaha Bubba’s 33 Cabela’s, LLC Call 811.com Cameron Balloons Cavender’s Central New Mexico Community College Chalmers Ford, Inc. Champion Xpress Carwash Chick-fil-A, Inc. City of Page, Arizona City of Taipei, Taiwan Civil Air Patrol Indiana Coronado Center Cosmic Crisp Cottonwood Mall Curb North, Inc. Curves by Haalo, Ltd. Dell Technologies Digitool, USA Donate Life - New Mexico Donor Services Dreamstyle Remodeling Farmers Insurance, Rod Baca Agency Federal Bureau of Investigation Fiesta Auto Group, LLC Fiore Industries, Inc. First Financial Credit Union Fortis Construction, Inc. Friends of Coronado Frost Mortgage Banking Group Golden Corral

Official Sponsors 96.3 News Radio KKOB-FM Voice of Balloon Fiesta Albertsons Market Supermarket Albuquerque Journal Twilight Twinkle Glow™ Bank of the West Bank Coca-Cola Soft Drink Creamland Dairies Dairy Cuervo Tequila Dos Equis Import Beer Dunkin’ Coffee General Mills Cereal Harvest Hosts VIP West RV Lot Isleta Resort & Casino Launch Field Pylons Jameson Irish Whiskey Whiskey Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme Morning Glow Lovelace Health System Healthcare Provider Phillips 66 Gasoline PNC Bank Balloon Discovery Center Sandia Resort & Casino Aerial Light Show University of New Mexico Sports Properties Balloon Trading Cards Visit Albuquerque Visitors

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Goodbye Laundry!

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. Greystar HollyFrontier Refining & Marketing, LLC Holmans USA Corporation Hueman People Solutions Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Intel Corporation J & A Oilfield Services, LLC Jabil Healthcare Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque KOB-TV Krispy Kreme KRQE News 13/FOX New Mexico Kubicek Balloons La Mesa RV Center, Inc. New Mexico La Vida Llena LeafFilter North, LLC Lennox LightHouse Business Information Solutions, LLC Lindstrand Balloons, USA Lone Mountain by Jubilee Los Lunas Los Suenos Veterinary Group Molson Coors Morgan Stanley National Distributing Company, Inc. National Park Service Network Chiropractic of Albuquerque New Mexico Gas Company New Mexico Mutual Group Niagara Bottling, LLC New Mexico State University NUPAC of New Mexico Occidental USA, Inc. Optiv Optum New Mexico Phillips 66 Company PlainsCapital Bank | Hilltop Securities Preventive Pest Control, LLC Rainbow Ryders, Inc. RAKS Building Supply Re/Max Marketing Fund, LLC

Realty One of New Mexico RESPEC Company, LLC Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico Route 66 Casino Hotel & RV Resort RPS Siarza Social Digital Sola Salon Studios ABQ Solaray Vitamins by Better Being Company Sullair, LLC TBC General Contracting Team Texas Telemundo of New Mexico, LLC The Balloon Training Academy The Garrity Group Public Relations, LLC The Maez Group The Neighborhood in Rio Rancho TLC Plumbing & Utility T-Mobile USA, Inc. TORC Robotics TransPerfect Global, Inc. UltraMagic, S.A. United Rentals United States Air Force United States Coast Guard University of Kansas Jayhawks UNM Health Sciences Center US Bank USI Southwest VLCM Technologies Waste Management of New Mexico WERA Westwind Computer Products, Inc. Wonder Bread Xfinity Zia Diagnostic Imaging, LLC

A century of caring. A lifetime of love.

Celebrating 100 years.

1922 - 2022 A century ago, Dr. William R. Lovelace brought a vision of improving health and life to New Mexico. It’s a story of caring, while continuously improving the practice of medicine. A story of change and progress. Of innovation and medical breakthroughs. But to us, it’s more than just a story. It’s a lifetime commitment to do what we do best — provide compassionate care to people when they need it most.

To schedule with a Lovelace provider, call 505.727.2727.

Or, visit one of our ERs where you can see a provider in about 30 minutes or less.

lovelace.com

THE 1970s: 1972-1979

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

The

1970S T

he first balloons flew in the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiestas® as the city and the nation transitioned from the turmoil of the 1960s and the anti-war protests of the early 1970s through Watergate and the end of the Vietnam War. The Beatles broke up, Elvis left the building, and Saturday Night Fever set in as people danced to the new rhythms of punk and disco. Society was changing; women’s lib and gay lib began to move into the mainstream. Down in southeast Albuquerque, two young entrepreneurs, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, working with a small hardware developer called MITS, were busy creating a new company: Microsoft.

Those early years, for Balloon Fiesta and ballooning in general, were years of learning and experimentation.

Pilots sometimes discovered balloons’ limitations and the impact of weather the hard way. But it was also a free-spirited era when balloonists dreamed big dreams and set records, and freely welcomed wide-eyed newcomers into their ranks who became balloonists themselves, growing future Balloon Fiestas.

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

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THE 1970s: 1972-1979

1972 T

he Balloon Fiesta that started it all came together in an astonishing ten days. Sid Cutter, asked by KOB Radio if he’d bring his balloon to their 50th anniversary celebration, recruited 21 pilots from around the country in the hopes of holding the biggest ballooning event ever staged up until that time. Thirteen of the balloons actually made it to Albuquerque, and thousands of people turned out to see the show. The articles on pages 36, 52 and 62 tell the full story.

Given that Sid, the local balloon club, KOB, and Albuquerque had only ten days to organize the event, there was no time to really produce any memorabilia – no pins, no patches, no bumper stickers (the ’72 event is the only one to not have a bumper sticker).

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

The pin shown here is of the Cutters’ personal balloon, Betsy Ross. There was a program – an eight-page publication listing the participants scheduled to be there, describing the “Roadrunner/Coyote” race, and thanking the sponsors. The program also included an article describing Sid’s hopes for an “annual event, the culmination of a week of activities . . . a Festival to end all Festivals.”

The writer didn’t call it a “Fiesta,” but got the rest of it just about right. What a flight it’s been! Come along for the ride!

THE 1970'S: 1972-1979

MEET

SID CUTTER O

MILY PHOT O

FOUNDER OF THE ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA®

CUTTER FA

nce upon a time (and still today), Albuquerque possessed all the necessary ingredients to become the “ballooning capital of the world”. The area provides plenty of open areas for flying and landing, a cadre of devoted enthusiasts, fair weather, and following winds with over 300 days of sunshine every year. Above all (and above it all!), Albuquerque provided a visionary man who was able to pull it all together. Sid Cutter is the man who breathed fire into the burgeoning sport of hot air ballooning.

Sidney Dillon Cutter, known to most as Sid, is the man to whom every balloonatic -- pilot, crew or spectator -- is grateful for bringing hot air ballooning to the city of Albuquerque. Regrettably, Sid left us too soon, in

May of 2011, but not before he got to see what he started flourish and become a bucketlist item for balloonists and balloon enthusiasts around the world.

Sid was born on May 9th, 1934, to Virginia Dillon Cutter and William P. Cutter. Sid’s father, William P. “Barnstormer” Cutter, settled in Albuquerque and married Virginia, the former governor’s daughter, (Richard C. Dillon, was Governor of NM 1928-

Above: A very young Sid Cutter

BY WALLY BOOK WITH DR. TOM MCCONNELL FOR THE AIBF HERITAGE COMMITTEE

36

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

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CUTTER FAMILY PHOTO

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

CK KENT

Above: A young Sid Cutter outside Cutter Flying Service.

Right: At the famous party, Virginia Cutter with her boys: Bill on the right and … is that Sid on the left?

primary location at West Mesa Airport in Albuquerque. In addition to basic flight training, many pilots were trained for glider operations, and the U.S. Navy designated Cutter Flying Service as a Naval Air Training School, part of the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP).

Sid joined the Air Force in 1955 at age 21. As a 2nd Lieutenant, he logged flying hours in different locations around the world, in single engine Republic F-84F jets and 4-engine McDonald Douglas C-133 cargo aircraft.

In 1960, leaving the service as a 1st Lieutenant, he rejoined his family’s aviation business.

Fast-forward to June of 1971. Sid and his brother Bill wanted to celebrate their mom, Virginia’s, 63rd birthday in a big way, and while they were at it to promote Cutter Flying Service’s 43 years in business. They decided to throw a party in the company hangar at the Albuquerque International Sunport. The theme was World War I aviation, with Sid playing the role

PHOTO: DI

1931). Flying was, and still is, the basis of the family business. Sid’s father started Cutter Flying Service (also known as Cutter Aviation), a general aviation fixed base of operations (FBO) in 1928. The FBO sold fuel, provided maintenance, and offered charter services to and from outlying ranches in rugged New Mexico and Arizona.

It later became a long-time Beechcraft dealer. Cutter Aviation is now America’s oldest continually familyowned and operated FBO network.

It’s not surprising that Sid learned to fly airplanes sitting on his father’s lap, had his first official lessons at 9, and flew solo at 16, the youngest age a soon-to-be pilot was allowed to fly alone, before earning his license. He secured his commercial license at 18.

From 1941 to 1945, with the onset of World War II, much of General Aviation came to a halt. In order to stay in business, Cutter Flying Service became a pilot training provider for the United States military at its

PHOTO: DICK BROWN

MILY PHOTO

The party centerpiece (right) – and the centerpiece in flight (below).

gave check rides to literally hundreds of pilots, certifying them for private and commercial balloon ratings.

There is a great story about one of the early flights.

Sid and Bill would often launch from the family business at the airport. There was always plenty of crew because early-arriving employees would happily volunteer on their way into work. Joe Jackson, the general manager of Cutter Flying Service and heading up the chase crew that morning, took a look at the high-flying balloon and declared that they would be up for a while and the crew should go and have some breakfast. When they came out, the balloon was nowhere in sight. Hours later the Cutter duo were found enjoying brunch at a watering hole near 12th St. and Candelaria. They had landed safely in Albuquerque’s North Valley, packed up the balloon, and with no crew in sight, they walked to the nearest tavern to celebrate their flight. Those flights following the grand birthday party cemented Sid’s lifelong love affair with lighter than air.

In November 1971 Sid convinced eight friends and associates to start a balloon club; they named it the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association. The buy-in fees bought them a share in a club balloon called Roadrunner with pilot training thrown in, a great deal that grew the sport in Albuquerque by making it possible for many of Albuquerque’s earliest pilots to affordably get started in ballooning.

Not surprisingly, the balloon was a huge hit, attracting attention whenever CUTTER FA

of “Snoopy” and Bill, the “Red Baron”. The centerpiece would be a hot air balloon.

The party was a huge success and in the excitement of the moment (maybe fueled by a couple of beers?), promises were made to fly the balloon soonest.

Accordingly, the next morning at 6:30, Sid inflated the balloon the way he had been taught when he picked it up at the Raven Industries factory, put his mom in the basket, and took her up with the balloon tied to the end of a 150 ft. tether rope as he acquainted himself with the use of the burner and balloon systems. Then Mom got out, brother Bill got in, and whether by design or by accident, the tether came loose, and the brothers launched from the parking lot of Cutter Flying Service.

It was even legal, because Sid and Bill both had balloon ratings on their pilot licenses. In those days, if you had a fixed-wing license, you could get a Lighter than Air (LTA) endorsement simply by asking for one, and the Cutters, mother and sons, had gotten theirs in the late 50s or early 60s. Later, when Sid was appointed an FAA Designated Examiner, he

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PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

it flew. Among those taking notice were the folks at 770 KOB Radio who were looking for a way to promote the 50th anniversary of their station. They asked Sid for help with the idea, and together they brainstormed a plan for Sid and KOB radio to host a balloon race that, with 21 balloons, would be the largest balloon gathering ever held in the United States at the time. A storm in the Midwest prevented the shipment of some of the balloons, but 13 made it. The show, on April 8, 1972, attracted an estimated 10,000-20,000 spectators to the launch site on vacant land surrounding the Coronado Mall in northeast Albuquerque. In anticipation of a small attendance, the city police had provided only a couple of officers on horseback for crowd control!

That race is now considered the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Already Sid was realizing the opportunities ballooning would offer up!

Sid went on to host the First World Hot Air Balloon Championship in February of 1973. Thirteen countries were represented by 38 balloons, with non-competing “Fiesta” fun flyers bringing the total number of balloons to 142. 1974 saw another Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in February. In 1975 (the year of two events) there was a Cloudbouncer Rally held in February, and the Second World Hot Air Balloon Championship was held in October with 170 balloons taking to the air in the even-better fall flying weather.

In 1974: Tom Rutherford and Sid Cutter, center and right, with Wally Book.

In 1972, Albuquerque radio station KOB (now KKOB) wanted to celebrate its golden anniversary in grand style. The stories vary about who at KOB first approached Sid Cutter about bringing his balloon to the big event – some say it was the station’s general manager, Dick McKee, and others a young guy doing promotions for the station, Tom Rutherford.

What is certain is that Tom played a large role in bringing to fruition the balloon rally at Coronado Center which is now known as the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. What’s more, the experience changed Tom’s life. He became Sid’s close friend and partner in World Balloon Championships, the company Sid founded to conduct the First World Hot Air Balloon Championships. Over the years, the company evolved into one of the largest corporate balloon operators in the world, and Tom and his then-wife Linda (the Balloon Fiesta’s first Executive Director) became well-known as pilots of the Budweiser balloon.

Tom, a lawyer by training, later served 12 years as a New Mexico State Senator and two terms on the Bernalillo County Commission. He became a respected lobbyist in Santa Fe and a tireless advocate for ballooning, the Balloon Fiesta, and the Balloon Museum. To the public, as a TV commentator and (with Glen Moyer) event announcer for more than a quarter-century, he was the golden voice of the Balloon Fiesta. Tom retired from active involvement in the event several years ago due to ill health, but remains a fondly-remembered face and force in the Balloon Fiesta’s history.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

Sid’s Right Hand, Tom Rutherford

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

Above: The 1974 Balloon Fiesta Opposite: Sid Cutter statue

Sid Cutter produced and ran the first three Balloon Fiestas before handing the reins to a citizen’s committee which eventually evolved into the non-profit Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. However, he and his new business, World Balloon Championships (which became World Balloon Corporation), remained actively involved in the event. Sid served on the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors, was for a time the official ride concessionaire, and flew himself through the 2010 Balloon Fiesta, the last one before his death.

Meanwhile, the event continued to grow, and in 2000, the “1000 in 2000” year, was the largest-ever gathering and launching of balloons. Post-2000 the number of entries was slowly reduced to the 600 seen

today (quality over quantity), because as Albuquerque grew, and there was more construction on previously vacant real estate, there were fewer landing sites available. The Balloon Fiesta has grown in more than size, as new events were added featuring balloons in different ways. There are special shapes, evening balloon glows, dawn patrol, a variety of competitions, and even a long-distance gas balloon race. Guests enjoy Main Street shopping, New Mexico cuisine, a variety of demonstrations and events, and entertainment including Music Fiesta, an outdoor concert featuring the hottest new country acts.

So, grab your wife, kids, camera and wallet, come spectate, take a ride, buy some souvenirs and great food, and join us in taking some of the estimated 25 million photographs taken annually at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta! Come enjoy Sid Cutter’s vision and legacy.

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THE 1970'S: 1972-1979

SID STORIES COLLECTED BY WALLY BOOK AND KIM VESELY

IN A LIFETIME OF FLYING, IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT SID CUTTER HAD HIS SHARE OF ADVENTURES IN BOTH AIRPLANES AND BALLOONS, AND THROUGH THEM TOUCHED MANY LIVES. A WORLD COMPETITOR, TWO-TIME NATIONAL HOT-AIR BALLOON CHAMPION (1978 AND 1986), AND PROMINENT CORPORATE PILOT, HE WOULD SOMETIMES GET APPROACHED TO DO UNUSUAL THINGS WITH BALLOONS. SOME WORKED OUT BETTER THAN OTHERS. HERE ARE A FEW WALLY BOOK COMPILED IN CONVERSATIONS

I

n the early 1970s Sid contracted with the Navy to assist with a couple of jobs associated with repairing cables on the east side of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The first involved inspecting and repairing a Very Low Frequency antenna cable stretched across the Lualualei valley on the east side of the island. Sid and his sidekick for this mission, Roadrunner balloon chief

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

PHOTOS COURTESY JEWEL CUTTER

WITH SID’S WIFE JEWEL AND OTHER CO-CONSPIRATORS.

pilot, Greg Wilson, took the 105,000 cubic ft. Roadrunner II balloon. Sid and a Navy tech on a 1600-foot tether completed inspection/repair of the antenna installation using a large resonance/ impedance sniffer probe. Rumor has it that Richard Nixon was there to celebrate the completion of the project. Also, according to a historical Navy record, there was a “manned tethered balloon” used to remove the remains of orange warning marker balls from a very low frequency antenna cable stretched across Horseshoe Canyon of the Pali Mountains at 1600 ft., a project which likely involved Sid’s business partner Tom Rutherford.

O

PHOTO BY

BILL WALTO

N FLYNT

nce upon a time, until experiences like this one made it clear it was a lousy idea, there were balloon races from the Bahamas to Florida.

According to Sid, who told the story at a Balloon Fiesta Heritage Committee meeting, the idea originated on a notentirely-sober night at a Budweiser distributorship in Florida. At any rate, during one of these races, Sid and his thengirlfriend Jewel Bickford (who later married him anyway) took off from Cat Cay, Bahamas, in the Jolly Roger. (We’re not kidding. You can’t make this stuff up.) When they had to put down in the ocean for lack of breeze, and then fuel, before making land, there was a Coast Guard vessel nearby. The balloon basket stayed more or less buoyant because the empty tanks acted as floats.

The envelope, however, filled with water and sank, so the balloon inverted. While Sid was contemplating what to do about getting the equipment to shore, the Coast Guard received an emergency call and told Jewel and Sid that they needed to board or stay behind. They chose to hitch a ride, rather than hang out near the Bermuda Triangle.

Later Sid rented a boat and made his way back to the balloon. They had to slit the balloon open in several places to allow the water to escape as they slowly pulled the balloon on board. They eventually got the craft back to Albuquerque, repaired it, and it flew for a few more years. (This story as told by Jewel Cutter and Kim Vesely).

Jim Ahern worked for Sid at World Balloon from 1978-1985 as Operations Manager. Sid brought in the money, Sid’s vice-president Paul Woessner budgeted the money, and Jim spent it. He also did the hiring of pilots and scheduled the contracts, jobs, balloons and pilots.

T

he day after his wedding to Jewel in May of 1980 in Las Vegas, Sid was taking part in a Kool Pro Tour hare and hound balloon race. Sid was zeroing in on the hare Kool Balloon. He came in high and was descending at a good clip with a good line on the target. As he brushed down the Kool Balloon, the basket of the Baby Busch balloon he was flying snagged the floating load tape of the side vent of the Kool balloon and inverted. Sid fell from above mid-balloon, 30 ft or so. Fortunately, he recovered from his broken ribs and other severe injuries.

In June of 1980, Jim landed the Bud balloon in an empty, fenced in, parking lot. They called the number on the locked gate and someone was sent to open the

Some of Sid’s Accomplishments and Awards: • Founder of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta • Organized the First and Second World Hot Air Balloon Championships • Founded the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA), the largest local balloon club in the world • Accumulated 18,000+ hours in airplanes and helicopters and more than 5,000 hours in hot air and gas balloons • Served in the U.S. Air Force and flew jets, large cargo aircraft and helicopters • Formed and operated World Balloon Corporation, running a repair station, and flying commercial balloons all over the world for a lengthy list of sponsors such as Anheuser Busch, Kraft and Black Angus.

• Federal Aviation Administration Designated Examiner; taught and certified hundreds of balloon pilots • U.S. Hot Air Balloon Champion in 1978 and 1986 • Finished second in the World Hot Air Balloon Championships in 1979 • U.S. National Team Championship (with Mark Sullivan and Troy Bradley), 1995 • Designed and built two of the world’s largest thermal airships for Anheuser Busch (larger than Goodyear’s gas airships at that time) • Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, awarded to pilots in all forms of aviation who have demonstrated professionalism, skill and aviation expertise by maintaining safe operations for 50 or more years.

• Diplome Montgolfier, ballooning’s highest award.

• Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (World Air Sports Federation) Hall of Fame • Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame • New Mexico Tourism Hall of Fame • Balloon Federation of America Hall of Fame • Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Hall of Fame • 2002 Olympic Torchbearer representing Albuquerque and ballooning • 40th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 2011 dedicated to Sid Cutter

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PHOTO BY PAUL DEBERJEOIS

gate to let the Budweiser balloon out of what was, it turned out, the Coors plant.

Also, in 1980 following a change in the command structure of Iran, a group of militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and took about 70 employees and delegates hostage. The US wanted them back, of course. Sid contracted with the US Army for some balloon training for one of the rescue scenarios that they envisioned. Sid put his Operations guy, Jim, in charge of the training. The trainees, Ron, Van and Jeff, we’ll call them, practiced assembling, inflating and taking-off within 5 minutes without an inflator. They used a variety of balloons for the initial training and trashed 3-4 balloons in the process.

Towards the end of the training, they were using a larger, higher capacity black balloon (to lower their visibility) that had been commissioned by the Army.

They were doing a no-lights training flight. Pilot Jim and two of the special ops “Delta Boys” as they

A great love story – Sid and Jewel Cutter

were sometimes called, were essentially flying blind.

They knew there was a huge power line out there somewhere and were keeping their eyes peeled for it as they made an approach for landing on a very dark night. Then, during a burn, they saw the reflection of the fire bouncing off of the power lines. They had been venting hot air to initiate the descent but one of the trainees jumped out of the basket without warning, hit the ground, bounced and stood up as if nothing had happened. After losing weight, the balloon started back up so Jim opened the emergency descent panel just as the other trainee unexpectedly bailed out. He,

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

PHOTO BY BILL WALTON FLYNT

As you can imagine, Sid’s friends have some great stories to tell, and as Sid sometimes put it, “some of them are true.” Here are some about Sid, the balloonist and the man, that his friends and family shared with us:

Jim Ahern, Sid Cutter, and Paul Woessner, front, in their World Balloon orange uniforms

also was unscathed by the fall. Jim rode the deflating balloon, now in contact with the power lines, down to the ground and somehow also managed to escape electrocution or injury. Much of the west side of town lost power and rumor has it that for a time power was out all the way up into Colorado. This was one of the strategies that the Army explored for retrieving the Iran hostages, and somehow this adventure never made the news cycle. Investigations were initiated by insurance companies and others (?), but never seemed to gain traction. The recovery plan, should this operation have ever gone into play, involved a helium balloon attached to the top of the escape balloon by a very long, strong cable. A specially equipped C-130 cargo aircraft with a “skyhook” was to snare the cable and haul the balloon and its passengers to safety. Can you say, James Bond and his lady Domino in Ian Fleming’s Thunderball?

As Operations Mgr., Jim got to choose the branding for World Balloon Corp uniforms. Sid was fond of the color blue, but, after considerable discussion, and much to Sid’s dismay, Jim chose orange as the predominant color because of its high visibility.

Paul Woessner, two-time hot-air balloon world champion, worked for Sid as Vice President of World Balloon Corp. from 1975-1981. He was hired after he made the first crossing of Lake Michigan in a hot air balloon. Paul told some of his Sid stories to Wally Book.

•

One of Sid’s flights involved a contract with Sandia Labs on Kirtland Air Force Base to repair

•

•

•

•

• •

some cables 600 ft above ground level. They carried a tech aloft who left the balloon in a sort of boatswain’s chair and made repairs on some kind of hush hush cable system. (Maybe Sid needed to found another business? Sid’s Flying Cable Repairs?)

Paul and Sid launched from the St Louis arch and enjoyed uneventful flights as part of the Kool Pro Tours in 1978-1980. Some of these launches took place under the arch and, for effect, were filmed to look as though they flew through it.

After Paul won his second hot air balloon world championship, Sid and the Smithsonian arranged (with the proper permits) for a tether flight at the D.C. mall near the Smithsonian to commemorate Paul’s success.

Sid and Paul worked with Anheuser Bush on several epic flights for the movie Day of the Balloons, produced in 1975-76 for the Busch Gardens theme parks. Sid flew Sky Chariot with Darryl Gunter from the bottom of the Grand Canyon, on the Havasupai reservation. They landed on a ledge midway up the canyon wall and the balloon had to be helicoptered out. Another flight sequence for the movie took place in New York City. It was a free flight from the east side of Manhattan, and was a quick, uneventful up and down. That flight was supplemented by an unauthorized tether at Lexington and Broadway.

They inflated the balloon and “walked” it about a block to give the impression on camera of a free flight. The authorities showed up, but they requested and were granted, forgiveness, because in theory they didn’t actually fly.

Part of the Kool Pro tour included a tether in Central Park, where they were interviewed by "Good Morning America".

Sid and Jewel tethered the Westinghouse balloon in front of the twin [World Trade Center] towers.

Sid free-flew the original World Balloon over the Olympic Stadium in Lake Placid, NY during the opening ceremonies at the 1980 Winter Olympics. It wasn’t Sid’s only Olympic experience; he was a torchbearer for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games and took the torch aloft in a tethered balloon at an event at Balloon Fiesta Park.

When Chris Cutter was invited to relate a favorite moment with his grandfather Sid, he responded with the following:

T

here’s not just one moment, but anytime we landed and there were kids nearby, he (Sid) would always invite them to roll out the air from the balloon. Many times, he would join them in rolling down the length of the balloon to squeeze the

air out. It always impressed me because ballooning was never about him or for him, but rather a way he could make others happy. That’s one thing that I think was really important to him, especially in his later years when he could just sit on the field and enjoy Balloon Fiesta, watching how balloons made others happy. That’s something that really rubbed off on me when I got into ballooning, being an ambassador for the sport, and inviting the little ones to help with the deflation, because, to them, helping with a balloon was something that they would remember for years to come.

Sid’s propensity for nurturing the sport in youths is evident in these stories from former Balloon Fiesta president Ty Young.

He now has one of the most PHOTO: KI M VESELY complete collections of Balloon Fiesta memorabilia anywhere, and Sid played a big role in getting it started:

I

first met Sid when I was around 7 or 8 years old. At the time, I had no idea who he was nor the important figure he was in the community.

I was just starting to trade balloon pins and of course I approached him to see if I could get one of his pins of his very well-known World Balloon. He had just completed a morning of flying at the Balloon Fiesta and was surrounded by many of his family, friends and crew. When I finally got the nerve to ask him if he would trade a pin with me, he stopped what he was doing and said, “follow me”. He took me into his chase truck and pulled out his stockpile of pins that made my eyes pop wide open. He reached into a bag and laid out a number of different pins, most of which I had never seen before. He asked me what I was offering and I showed him the only pin I had to trade. He then took the time to explain what all his different pins were and the balloons they represented.

After he was done, he told me to pick out my favorite.

Of course, I picked out the one I was after…his wellknown World Balloon. After he asked me to make sure that was the one I wanted, he proceeded to gather up all the different ones in his hand and give them all to me, saying “you’re going to need some extras to get your collection started”. I couldn’t believe my luck and, as the years went by, I always made a point to find him and give him one of my new pins each year.

When I was 9 or 10 years old, one of my “must have” pins, was one that Sid Cutter was wearing.

Technically not a balloon pin, it was a pin of his famous Ambulance chase vehicle. I asked him from time to time if he would trade with me. Eventually, he pulled me inside his chase commander truck and said he’d trade something with me. He showed me what

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over some of New Mexico’s spectacular landscape - scenes that closely resembled the cartoon background. Sid’s choice for this awesome balloon design was perfect.

Ballooning brought us together and memories keep us going. We will always treasure the great times with Sid. He changed our lives forever.

he was trading, and it was a pin I already had. Not wanting to be rude, I happily gave him my pin for a trade. He gave me the pin he had, but he also reached for another one. It was the ambulance pin complete with the trailer attachment. It’s one of my fondest memories of Balloon Fiesta and Sid. Sid was such a kind man. He didn’t care if you were a millionaire, down to your last dime, an old man in his dotage or a child as young as I. His kindness is what I will miss the most, but I’ll always have those pins as a reminder of when I first met Sid Cutter.

Dick Brown, early Albuquerque balloonist, Montgolfier Diplome recipient, and former editor of Ballooning, the journal of the Balloon Federation of America. Excerpted from the 2011 Balloon Fiesta program:

B

y the fall of 1972, Sid was flying a big balloon portraying Warner Bros’ Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote cartoon characters. This balloon was awkward and sluggish, but that was nothing compared to the Coyote’s ludicrous contraptions from the ACME mail-order company. In those days, we were still learning how to fly balloons and sometimes we burned the skirt to a crisp, not unlike the fateful Coyote being burned to a crisp when his elaborate plans to catch the ever-elusive Roadrunner failed. Sid made some hard landings in the balloon but nothing like the Coyote’s terminal descents and splats on the desert floor.

Each flight became another win for our beloved state bird - the Roadrunner. Big balloons need big crews so we helped Sid with inflation, chasing and packing up. In return, Sid gave us our very first balloon ride

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Mark Sullivan, champion hot air and gas balloonist, President of the FAI International Ballooning Commission, and Diplome Montgolfier recipient

I

bought my first balloon from Sid in January 1983 and we became instant friends. Sid took me under his wing and we shared many great adventures together in the air, under the water and on the seas.

Throughout the 1980s and 90s we competed against each other in the local Top Gun events so we could qualify for the U.S. National Championship.

Many years at the U.S. Nationals we teamed up to increase our odds against the other competitors and in 1986 Sid won his second U.S National title.

In 1995 Sid, myself and Troy Bradley teamed up and won the 1st U.S. National Team Championship in Gwinnett Georgia. Sid and I flew together in the U.S. National Gas Balloon Championship, took 4th in the 1990 World Gas Balloon Championship in Tyndall, Sid Cutter SD and had two great flights in the American’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race. We caught tarpon, big mouth bass, fly fished for trout and scuba dived some of the best spots in the world, always having great fun, many times laughing until our sides ached. Sid and Jewel were always the leaders in finding new and exciting things to do and I was truly honored to be included in so many of their adventures.

If you are lucky you will find a friend like Sid once in a lifetime and I am proud to have called Sid my best friend.

CUTTER FAMILY PHOTO

Above: Balloon pins are among the most popular collectibles Below: Ty’s first special gift from Sid: the original World Balloon pin

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

A Timeline

of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

socorronm.org Phone: (575)-835-8927

July 4, 1882

October 19, 1909

1965

June 5, 1971

June 6, 197

Professor Park Van Tassel makes the first balloon flight in Albuquerque in a coal gas balloon.

During the last of several gas balloon flights in the early 1900’s, Joseph Blondin and Roy Stamm launch from the New Mexico Territorial Fair and fly over the Manzano Mountains. It is the last manned balloon flight in Albuquerque for more than 50 years.

The first modern hotair balloon comes to Albuquerque, one of a handful to appear in New Mexico in the next few years.

Cutter Aviation holds a party to celebrate its anniversary and cofounder Virginia Cutter’s birthday. Son Sid Cutter acquires a hot-air balloon which is cold-inflated in the hangar as a centerpiece.

The next mor and Bill Cutte “party center the Cutter ha UNM North G

1978

1978

1976

October 1975

1975

The Balloon Fiesta holds its first Key Grab - now the Ring Toss - event (nobody won the car).

Albuquerque’s Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman complete the first crossing by balloon of the Atlantic Ocean. The flight makes headlines around the world and puts Albuquerque, and ballooning, on the map.

Sid Cutter retires from managing the Balloon Fiesta to focus on his businesses; Mayor Kinney and local business leaders form Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Inc., a non-profit corporation which produces the Balloon Fiesta to this day.

The Second World Hot Air Balloon Championships and the Fourth Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta are held on a new site, Simms Field, northwest of Jefferson and I-25.

A “citizens co formed by Ma Kinney to ass putting on an the Balloon F

1978

1979

1980

1981

1981

The world’s first Dawn Patrol flight takes place at Balloon Fiesta. More than 10 years later, Dawn Patrol becomes an official part of the event.

On Christmas Eve, the first large-scale nighttime balloon display (“balloon glow”) documented in the world is held in Albuquerque’s Country Club area in conjunction with the annual Luminaria Tour.

Parachute demonstrations become part of Balloon Fiesta.

Teams participating in various years include the Navy Leapfrogs, Army Golden Knights, the Misty Blues (an all-female team), and most recently, Team Fastrax.

Development closes Simms Field, and the Balloon Fiesta moves north to Cutter Field (the current Vista del Norte housing development.)

The first air shows are held as post-morningflight events.

Ben Abruzzo, Newman, Ron Rocky Aoki co first manned balloon flight Double Eagle

1882

1909

1972

971

rning, Sid er fly their rpiece” from angar to the Golf Course.

ommittee” is ayor Harry sist with nd funding Fiesta.

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November 1971

April 8, 1972

1972

February 10-17, 1973

Sid Cutter and eight friends buy a balloon together and form the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA), today the world’s largest local balloon club.

KOB radio, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, asks Sid Cutter to organize a balloon rally. Thirteen balloons participate in the “First Annual KOB Radio & Television International Balloon Festival,” now considered to be the first Balloon Fiesta, at Coronado Center.

Balloon Federation of America President Don Kersten, one of the participants in the 1972 KOB event, invites Albuquerque to bid for the rights to hold the First World Hot Air Balloon Championships.

Albuquerque hosts the First World Championships, along with an additional “Fiesta” rally for non-competing balloons, at the State Fairgrounds (now Expo New Mexico). More than 100 balloons participate in the two events.

February 1975

February 1974

February 17, 1973

February 10, 1973

While planning is underway for the Second World Championships, the AAAA holds a two-day balloon rally to maintain the presence of the Balloon Fiesta. This event is still held annually and is now known as the Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally.

The third Balloon Fiesta – by now known as the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® – is held.

Ed Yost, the inventor of the modern hotair balloon and the “Clerk of the Course” (chief official) of the World Championships, makes an exhibition gas balloon flight, the first in Albuquerque since 1909.

The first Balloon Fiesta Parade is held. Before the parades are discontinued in 1991, they become the biggest parades held in New Mexico.

1981

1986

1987

1989

The first Balloon Fiesta gas balloon race is held; these competitions, which focus on accuracy in flying to a target as opposed to distance, continue through the 1980’s.

The Balloon Fiesta is on the move again, this time to the first Balloon Fiesta Park located south of Alameda Blvd. (now the RV park).

The first Balloon Fiesta Balloon Glow celebrates the 75th anniversary of New Mexico statehood.

These nighttime displays are now among the Balloon Fiesta’s most popular events

Special shape balloons get their own showcase, the Special Shape Rodeo, held on Thursday and Friday of Balloon Fiesta week. The first few Rodeos are afternoon competition flying events.

1973

1979

1982

1993

2019

2010

1993

1993

1994

1994

1995

A morning mass ascension on the first day of the Special Shape Rodeo becomes part of the event.

The Balloon Fiesta hosts the world’s oldest air race, the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett for gas balloons, the first time the race has been held in the United States since 1933. The Balloon Fiesta also hosts the Gordon Bennett in 1999, 2005, and 2008.

The Thursday afternoon Special Shape flight is replaced by an evening Balloon Glow; within a couple of years this event is named the Special Shape “Glowdeo.”

The World Gas Balloon Championships are held in Albuquerque. This series of races involves precision flying to targets.

The Balloon Fiesta founds its own gas balloon distance race, the America’s Challenge; the team of Richard Abruzzo and David Melton wins the race.

2011

2010

2005

2005

March 5, 2005

The Balloon Fiesta celebrates its 40th year; the commemorative book, The World Comes to Albuquerque, wins multiple book awards.

Additional books are published in 2016 and 2022.

The “Morning Glow” on mass ascension days becomes part of the event.

The combined launch of the Gordon Bennett and America’s Challenge races is one of the largest gas balloon events ever held in North America and features record-setting flights.

The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum opens

The New Mexico State Legislature designates the hot air balloon as the official state aircraft.

2013

2015

2015

2016

2017

Darius Rucker headlines the first Music Fiesta on the last Saturday of Balloon Fiesta.

The Sid Cutter Pilots’ Pavilion opens its doors and becomes pilot headquarters for Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque’s Troy Bradley and Russia’s Leonid Tiutkhtyaev set new distance and duration world records during the Two Eagles transpacific balloon flight from Saga, Japan to Baja California.

The Balloon Fiesta hosts the U.S. Women’s National Championships.

The inauguration of Balloon Fiesta Live! allows enthusiasts from around the world to see professional, livestreamed and archived broadcasts of all Balloon Fiesta sessions.

2018

2017

2013

2020

2017

1993

1996

1997

1997

2000

2000

The Balloon Fiesta celebrates its 25th year and moves to the current Balloon Fiesta Park.

The “Flight of the Nations,” honoring international pilots on the Wednesday of Balloon Fiesta week, is inaugurated.

The first Dawn Patrol Show, a choreographed inflation and pre-sunrise launch, is held.

The Special Shape Rodeo and Glowdeo reach their current form, with morning mass ascensions and evening Glows on both days of the event.

The Balloon Fiesta hosts “1,000 in 2000,” with more than 1,000 balloons participating.

It is the largest Balloon Fiesta and probably the largest ballooning event ever held in the world.

But in subsequent years, in the interest of safety, the number of balloons is scaled back to 750 and later 550.

2003

2002-2003

2001

2001

2001

The Gondola Club, a V.I.P. experience for Balloon Fiesta guests, is created, and is later joined by the Chasers Club and, most recently, a “glamping” experience.

Balloon Fiesta Park is fully grassed; the change makes the field a pleasant place for guests to linger and turns the Balloon Fiesta into a true destination event for families.

Albuquerque Aloft, on the Friday before Balloon Fiesta, brings balloonists to local elementary schools to educate, inflate and fly.

The New Mexico Challenge, a distance race for hot air balloons, is held; the event lasts only a few years.

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the grounding of all general aviation, the Balloon Fiesta comes close to cancellation. The ban on balloon flights is lifted in time for the Balloon Fiesta and the America’s Challenge race to continue as scheduled.

2017

2020

2021

2022

In winning the America’s Challenge, Swiss balloonists Nicolas Tièche and Laurent Sciboz smash the all-time competition distance records for 1,000 meter gas balloons.

The COVID-19 pandemic forces the postponement of the 49th Balloon Fiesta, but “Fiesta Siesta” merchandise sells like hotcakes and Balloon Fiesta Live! provides nine days of streamed highlights from past Balloon Fiestas.

The Balloon Fiesta returns with additional COVID precautions in place and celebrates its 49th year.

The Balloon Fiesta celebrates its 50th year/50th anniversary and the 25th America’s Challenge and publishes a commemorative book, 50 Years of Balloon Magic.

2015

2001

2005

THE 1970’S: 1972-1979

Tips for Spectators 1. Keep your feet off the balloons.

2. Buy a program so you know what’s up.

3. Bring lots of extra film.

4. Don’t forget the camera.

5. Wear old warm clothes.

6. Wear comfortable “broken in” shoes or boots.

7. Keep your big feet off the balloons.

8. Work out beforehand so you’re in good shape.

9. Assist only when asked loudly by the pilot.

10. Get a full tank of gas before the race.

11. Keep one eye on the road and the other on the balloon.

12. And keep your grubby feet off the balloons.

13. Bring lots of money to buy the souvenirs.

14. When running after balloons, keep a sharp lookout for arroyos and rattlesnakes.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

From the 1973 Balloon Fiesta program

15. Don’t harm the Roadrunners, they’re our state bird.

16. Don’t get caught speeding: you may spend the races in jail.

17. Please give the balloons the right of way.

18. Keep your pinkies off the balloons.

19. Bring more money on the second day for the rest of those souvenirs you’ve always wanted.

20. Please don’t drive thru the farmer’s corn field.

21. Please don’t knock down the fences.

22. Don’t smoke around the balloons, especially when refueling.

23. Make sure your auto is insured and if you should have a wreck, please don’t sue the balloon pilot (he’s broke).

24. Bring your own champagne.

25. KEEP YOUR BIG FAT FEET OFF THE BEAUTIFUL BALLOONS!

THE 1970'S: 1972-1979

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

13

THE ORIGINAL DICK BROWN IS THE FORMER EDITOR OF BALLOONING, THE BALLOON FEDERATION OF AMERICA’S OFFICIAL MAGAZINE, AND HAS AUTHORED AND CO-AUTHORED THREE BOOKS AND NUMEROUS ARTICLES ON THE BALLOON FIESTA. HE’S A RESPECTED HISTORIAN ON THINGS BALLOONING AND HAS ALSO WRITTEN BOOKS ON HISTORICAL TOPICS IN THE SOUTHWEST. HIS PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND IS IN ENGINEERING, AND HE’S A PROUD FORMER U.S. NAVY SUBMARINER.

Pictured: Roadrunner ready to go as Don Piccard inflates Spirit of 76 and Karl Stefan inflates Star of Texas.

T

113 3

he year was 1972 and KOB 770 AM Radio was celebrating its 50th anniversary. With some coaxing from the station’s general manager, Sid Cutter agreed to organize a southwestern-style Hare-and-Hound balloon race that he dubbed RoadrunnerCoyote balloon race. Today we know it as the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Sanctioned by the Balloon Federation of America (BFA), it was to be the largest ballooning event in North America.

Sid Cutter – Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Sid was the younger son of civil aviation pioneers William and Virginia Cutter who founded Cutter Flying Service in 1928 to serve the flourishing aviation community in the Southwest. At age 21 Sid joined the Air Force. First Lieutenant Cutter flew single-engine jets and fourengine cargo planes until 1960 when he joined the family business and served as the company’s president for

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DICK BROWN, FOR THE AIBF HERITAGE COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

53

Don Kersten – Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Don was a lawyer and an Air Force veteran (19481952). He had been a licensed balloon pilot since 1965 and in this event flew a white Piccard balloon with two blue bands at the equator. Named Merope after his wife, this AX-6 Piccard balloon was fourth in the pack of Coyotes to launch. Incidentally, back then, everyone in the basket wore helmets.

Don served as the BFA president from 1969 to 1971 and 1975 to 1977. As immediate past president and a delegate to the FAI in 1972, Don was tasked with searching for a site for the First World Hot Air Balloon Championships. He urged Sid and Tom Rutherford, at the time working for KOB Radio, to form an organization to bid Albuquerque as the host site. They formed World Balloon Championships, Inc. “It wasn’t until later that we learned that no one else had bid, or even been invited to bid for this event,” Tom recalled. Nevertheless, Albuquerque was secured as the host city for the 1973 championships. Sadly, Merope Kersten died in 1984, and Don died in 1998 at age 73.

Above: Roadrunner clears the field, Coyotes soon to follow.

Right: Don Kersten in Merope waves to the crowd at the City’s first modern hot air ballooning event.

more than a decade. Beginning in 1971, he devoted the rest of his life to ballooning.

Sid flew Roadrunner, a Raven AX-6, N1954R, the club balloon of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (Quad A) that morning of April 8, 1972, from the northwest corner of Coronado Center. His co-pilot was Don Draper, Quad A’s president. Sid and Don of course launched first, and soon the chase began. At 7:30 a.m., Governor Bruce King fired the starting gun, and 12 competing Coyote balloons trailing advertising banners began lifting off before 20,000 spectators.

Albuquerque’s first Balloon Fiesta was underway.

Assisting as launch and chase crews were members of the fledging Quad A. As Roadrunner drifted north, Sid commented to his co-pilot, “Well, Don, we have finally seen a balloon race.”

Sid held some of the highest aviation awards, including the 1975 Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s (FAI) Montgolfier Diplome for service to sport ballooning and the 2009 FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in flight safety. He founded the world’s largest local balloon club – the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association, or Quad A – in 1971, organized the first two World Hot Air Balloon Championships in 1973 and 1975, and won the National Hot Air Balloon Championships in 1978 and 1986. He was inducted into five Halls of Fame during the period 1983-2010. He was very proud of how Albuquerque took to ballooning like he did and how the community embraced an annual Balloon Fiesta. After a long battle with cancer, Sid passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 21, 2011.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Above: Bill Cutter prepares to chase his younger brother in N1951R.

Oscar Kratz – Tucson, Arizona.

Bill Cutter – Phoenix, Arizona.

Piloting another Coyote balloon was Oscar Kratz. He flew a checkered Raven with red and white top, blue and white bottom. It can be said that he was indirectly responsible for one of Albuquerque’s first resident hot air balloons. In 1971, Sid wanted to rent a balloon as the centerpiece for his mother’s birthday celebration at Cutter Flying Service. Oscar owned the first certified Raven AX-8, but it was too big for the hangar and his rental fee was too high at $500. Instead, Sid bought a new Raven that he planned to use to promote the party.

Thanks to Oscar’s high rent, N1951R became the first modern hot air balloon to call Albuquerque home.

Oscar Kratz enlisted in the Air Force in 1954 and served as an aircraft mechanic. He started a flying school at Ryan Airfield near Tucson and was an early instructor in hot air balloons. Oscar died in 1980 at the young age of 47. His wife Patti represented him at the 25th anniversary gathering of the original pilots at Coronado Center. She passed away in 2016 at age 80.

Flying another Coyote balloon was Sid’s brother Bill.

Upon request, the FAA issued Sid’s and Bill’s balloon pilot licenses in 1962 and 1963, respectively. Their certificates read “Free Balloon Pilot – Hot Air Balloons Only”. Bill was an Albuquerque native and an Army veteran (19551957). He had managed Cutter Flying Service in Phoenix since 1959. At the first Balloon Fiesta he flew Betsy Ross, N1951R, a patriotic red, white, and blue Raven balloon with gold bunting and white stars against a blue top, and displaying a Cutter Flying Service banner on the envelope. At his mother’s birthday celebration, the balloon had a banner reading “This Ole Bag for Rent”.

Bill was the third Coyote to take to the air. During an interview, Bill could not recall many details of that first Fiesta. “At my age – I’m 75 – I’m not supposed to have a memory.” Bill distinguished himself in balloon competition in the early 70s, placing third in the 1972 Nationals, fourth in the 1973 Nationals, and second in the 1973 World Hot Air Balloon Championships in Albuquerque. Bill died peacefully in 2018 at age 86.

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

55

Above: Denny Floden launches while Gene Dennis, Bill Murtorff, and Don Piccard make final preparations.

56

Dennis Floden – Flint, Michigan.

Bill Murtorff – Corpus Christi, Texas.

A stockbroker and financial consultant, Denny became a licensed balloonist in 1969. At age 32, he won the 1971 Nationals in Indianola, Iowa, and piloted a red, white, and blue Raven balloon decorated with eagles and pennants in the first Fiesta as the reigning U.S. Champion. In his early ballooning years, he flew under the pseudonym “Capt. Phogg”. Coincidentally, 1972, the year of Albuquerque’s First Fiesta, was also the 100th anniversary of Jules Verne’s fantasy novel Around the World in Eighty Days with Capt. Phileas Fogg.

In 1973, Denny joined Bill Cutter, Tom Oerman, and Bruce Comstock on the U.S. team at the First World Hot Air Balloon Championships. He won the title and the distinction of becoming the world’s first champion balloonist. Denny used to say, “It takes a little bit of skill and a lot of luck to excel in balloon competition.”

Like Sid, Denny was a balloon sales distributor and successful commercial balloonist. He designed Kellogg’s first Tony the Tiger balloon and for 22 years led his Gr-r-reat Tony Balloon Team in the operation of one of the first special-shape commercial balloons. Denny is now retired from the financial world and the world of commercial and competitive ballooning. He says he was a “card-carrying Michigan snowbird” for some time but now spends most of his time as a boater and real estate investor in Bradenton Beach, Florida.

Bill was an Army veteran (1955-1958) and an extraordinary aeronaut. While operating a water sports store in Corpus Christi, he became infatuated with hot air ballooning. As a student of Derek Howard, Bill received his pilot license in 1971. Derek remembered “Wild Bill,” as he was affectionately known, as being so enthusiastic about ballooning that he would be around for a long time.

Indeed, Bill and his wife Mary were regular participants in the first 25 Balloon Fiestas.

On that special day in Albuquerque in 1972, Bill was fresh from a victory in the Florida Balloon Championships. His balloon, Smile, N22US, red with four blue bands, was the second Coyote balloon to launch. Bill received Quad A’s Sid Cutter Award in 1977. He was BFA President 1979-1981. He retired in Mexico where he died in 1998 at age 64, but his name lives in a place of honor in the BFA as the Bill Murtorff Spirit of Ballooning Award.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Don Piccard – Newport Beach, California.

Don was the son of Swiss pioneer aeronauts Jean and Jeannette Piccard. He had been flying balloons since the 1940s and was a pioneer in his own right. During WWII, he served in the Navy as a balloon and airship rigger and again at Lakehurst, New Jersey, during the Korean War. In 1947, he received the nation’s first Free Balloon Certificate. He made numerous epic balloon flights and was awarded the 1962 Montgolfier Diplome for his

record altitude flight in a “poly-cluster” balloon. In 1963, he and Ed Yost became the first men to pilot a hot air balloon across the English Channel from Great Britain to France. Don is credited with many of the innovations we see today in modern hot air sport balloons.

Although Don spent much of his life in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he also spent decades in Newport Beach, California where in 1964 he started a balloon manufacturing company. At the time of Albuquerque’s first Fiesta, he claimed Newport Beach as home. He remembered most of northeast Albuquerque was empty lots. Indeed, there was little development north of Montgomery where most of the Coyote balloons landed.

Don was one of the last to launch but he flew Spirit of 76, N76US, an AX-8 Piccard, to a first-place finish, landing only 184 feet from the deflated Roadrunner balloon that Sid had left spread out as a giant target.

Don had a ripout landing with a long drag across the East Mesa as Albuquerqueans rushed to grab his basket and as a helicopter hovered a few hundred yards away.

That balloon was made for Burns, Burke and Morton of Gardena, California, with George Morton getting his first ride as the nation was getting psyched up for the American Bicentennial. “It had two giant burners and two rip panels,” recalled Don. “It was ideal for that flight.

Dr. George, the met guy, was perfect, and I paid attention to him.” Don was referring to Dr. George Fischbeck, the popular Albuquerque weatherman on KOB-TV from the early 1960s. Don returned to Minneapolis in the 1980s and died in 2020 at the age of 94.

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

Above: Surprisingly, there were only two mounted patrolmen for this crowd of 20,000.

Gene and Denny had only one balloon between them.

Both made it through the qualifying rounds, but a toss of the coin put Denny in the basket instead of Gene.

After flying balloons with Denny, Gene adopted the name “Captain Phair Weather.” He claimed that the excellent flying conditions at the 1972 Fiesta were not the work of George Fischbeck, with his high-altitude millibar charts, but it was he who ordered the day’s good weather.

Gene recalls lifting off with Tom Oerman as his passenger. Tom’s balloon never made it to Albuquerque because of a Chicago snowstorm. Gene’s flight connections through Chicago were also cancelled but he drove to Detroit and caught a direct flight to Albuquerque. Regarding the 1972 race, Gene said “My balloon was a Raven with red and white stripes, blue equator and yellow top. We landed somewhere in the boonies. The next day, several of us flew from the West Mesa and drifted over the Rio Grande.”

Gene placed sixth in the qualifying rounds for the 1973 World Championships, being edged out by Denny Floden, Tom Oerman, and Bill Cutter. He returned to Albuquerque several times, flying in the Fiesta, visiting the Balloon Museum, and revisiting the 1972 Coronado launch site where Macy’s is today. While he is no longer active, his two sons are avid balloonists.

Gene Dennis – Grand Blanc, Michigan.

When Gene got into ballooning, he owned his own electrical contracting business that was geared to support the automotive industry in Michigan. His balloon instructor was Denny Floden, who also trained Bruce Comstock, just before Denny won the 1971 Nationals.

Above: Matt Wiederkehr and Don Kersten rise in search of Roadrunner.

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

57

Matt Wiederkehr – St. Paul, Minnesota.

Matt served four years in the Navy during the Korean War. He was an engineer when he started ballooning and in fact was one of the first ten hot air balloon pilots in the country. He and wife Bobbie operated a balloon sales distributorship and staged the hot air balloon competition at the annual St. Paul Winter Carnival. Matt and his daughters, Denise and Donna, set over 40 world ballooning records.

The first Coyote balloon to launch was Matt’s blue and white balloon, Raven One, N1926R, with co-pilot Denise and a long Melloy Datsun banner trailing below the basket. They made a classic ripout landing among cholla cactus on the East Mesa, stopping dead in their tracks in a matter of seconds. Matt’s wife Bobbie recalled, “At first everyone thought we won the race. Suddenly the wind changed and the Piccards won, even though they were off course until the end.” Matt and Denise ended up in third place. We lost this veteran aeronaut in 2019 when he passed away at age 90.

Wilma Piccard – Newport Beach, California.

Don’s wife, Willie, is an accomplished balloonist.

The two met when Don hired her as a seamstress at Piccard Balloons. Willie set the A-1 distance record for male and female using a single-cell mylar balloon. As the only female pilot in the first Fiesta, Willie flew solo in Gypsy, N10TA, a Piccard AX-6 which later went to Bruce Comstock and helped him win the Nationals. Don recalled, “It was a super balloon, especially for the time, and gave Willie no trouble.” She placed second, landing

206 feet from the Roadrunner. Don added, “It was a kick for us to take first and second.” Don and Willie relocated to Minneapolis where Willie survives her husband of 50 years. As a tribute to Don, she said, “His most powerful legacy is in helping to develop the sport of hot air ballooning and making it affordable for families to enjoy.”

Now 91 years of age, she still resides in Minneapolis.

Brent Stockwell – Daly City, California.

As a licensed commercial balloonist since 1970, Brent participated in many hot air and gas balloon races around the world. At the time of Albuquerque’s inaugural ballooning event, he had been working on establishing the first FAA-approved balloon flight school in the nation.

Beginning in 1974, Brent operated an FAA-certified balloon repair station. He was active in the BFA for decades and received numerous BFA and FAA awards.

At the first Fiesta, his small AX-4 balloon, Firebird, N14US, trailing a Rich Ford banner, was one of the last Coyotes to launch. Other sponsors included Cactus Realty, Galles Chevrolet, Horizon Corporation, Melloy Datsun, Pedal ‘n Spoke, Vickers Petroleum and Watchworld. Brent’s balloon ran out of fuel before reaching the target Roadrunner balloon. He and his wife, Christine Kalakuka, authored several ballooning books while operating their flight school and repair station in Manteca, California. Sadly, Christine passed away in 2007. Brent passed away in 2021 at age 90. (See Brent Stockwell’s account of his flight, reprinted from the 1991 Balloon Fiesta program, following this story.)

Below: Matt Wiederkehr, Carter Twedt and Denny Floden inflate at Coronado Center.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Above: Mike-Mike and Spirit of 76 on their way.

Carter Twedt – Carson City, Nevada.

Carter, an American Airlines pilot, with his crew chief, Pat Arthur, lifted off in a yellow Raven AX-6 with a red band at the equator sporting a string of white stars. A banner, also promoting Rich Ford, dangled from the basket. This was the balloon that was used in Walt Disney’s “High Flying Lowe” movie about Professor Thaddeus Lowe, the Civil War aeronaut who conducted aerial reconnaissance for the Union Army. N4MM or Mike-Mike as Carter called the balloon (M-M for Mickey Mouse), was made up to look like a gas balloon for the 1972 Disney movie.

As for the 1972 race, “We brought our entire crew and the envelope in two Cessnas, but we had to ship the gondola,” said Carter. They placed sixth overall. Carter and Pat made a high-wind landing on the Sandia Pueblo Reservation and ended up hauling the balloon out piece by piece.

Carter retired from American Airlines in 1994 but continued to fly – not jets, not balloons, but paragliders.

His wife Peggy was also a licensed balloon pilot and

made many commercial flights. Nevada Skydivers showed a special interest in Mike-Mike. Carter claimed, “The whole club wanted to jump so there have been at least 50 jumps from the old balloon.” He and Peggy sold Mike-Mike years ago, but it was still being inflated on special occasions.

Karl Stefan – Palestine, Texas.

Karl was a graduate of the Naval Academy, Class of 1940, and a WWII veteran, having retired in 1960 after 20 years in naval aviation. He made his first gas balloon flight in 1956 and his first hot air balloon flight in 1961.

After teaching Chauncey Dunn how to fly balloons in Colorado in the early 1970s (Karl was working at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder at the time), they flipped a coin to see who would attempt a new altitude record. Karl won and reached 31,000 feet before his oxygen mask froze. Three days later, Chauncey, with a heater in his oxygen mask, set a new AX-8 record by reaching 33,000 feet.

Karl received the coveted Montgolfier Diplome for the

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Above: Bill Murtorff, Willie Piccard, Oscar Kratz on the ground, Karl Stefan in the air.

year 1971 for service to ballooning. With Tracy Barnes and Dodds Meddock, this aeronautical engineer helped co-found The Balloon Works, a highly successful balloon manufacturing company in Statesville, North Carolina.

Karl did not recall serving as the Safety Officer in 1972, but he distinctly remembered trailing a very long banner.

Of his rapid ascent in his skirtless AX-6, Star of Texas, N1930R, to deploy his banner, he said, “I kept climbing and so turned the burner off, but I could still hear its roar.

I then looked over the side and realized the roar was from the crowd below.” Karl’s flight ended with a ripout landing punctuated by two hard bounces.

For well over a decade, he served as the U.S. delegate to the FAI Ballooning Commission and had the pleasure of announcing Montgolfier awards to many other American balloonists. He also served as FAI Ballooning Commission President from 1984 to 1994. Sid Cutter succeeded Karl as the U.S. Delegate. For many years, Karl and his wife Lucy lived in Fort Collins, Colorado. Lucy passed away in 2015 at age 92; Karl followed in 2018 at age 102.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

25th Anniversary Reunion On September 28, 1996, at Coronado Center, there was a special reunion of The Original Thirteen. Willie Piccard was unable to attend, and Oscar Kratz was represented by his widow Patti.

Tom Dunn, KOB Radio producer, director and morning show host, once said of the first Balloon Fiesta, “When disc jockeys put on a show you can expect a windbag promotion.” And what a promotion it was – not just for KOB but for ballooning in Albuquerque. The story of this inaugural ballooning event was carried by that evening’s Albuquerque Tribune as front-page news, and that was just the beginning as planning commenced for the 1973 World Hot Air Balloon Championships. As the forerunner of the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, that first “windbag promotion” has become known as the first Balloon Fiesta and those balloon pilot pioneers have landed themselves in ballooning history books as “The Original Thirteen.”

All images by Dick Brown from the eastern side of the launch field, using a single-lens reflex camera loaded with Kodachrome-25 slide film.

THE 1970'S: 1972-1979

1972 One Mile Up,

and Still on the Ground

By Col. Brent Stockwell From the 1991 Balloon Fiesta program, reprinted with permission from Ballooning, the Journal of the Balloon Federation of America

T

here I was, altimeter indicating 5,000 feet, with some guy standing next to the basket yelling, "Get ready; you're up soon, get ready to take off." What in the world was happening? Today was the day I had planned to plant a second crop of lettuce in my tiny, San Francisco-fog-enshrouded backyard vegetable garden. Who was this man and why was he telling me to take off while I was already one mile up (and still on the ground)?

This episode was no aeronaut's mushroom-inspired fantasy, but the Albuquerque International Coyote and Roadrunner Balloon Race, a hot-air balloonist's dream on a mile-high plateau in New Mexico.

On very, very short notice (due to some Madison Avenue-type brainstorming, I suspect), the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association had staged a professional, BFA-sanctioned race in a one balloon town.

Well, it once was a one balloon town.

The amazingly short time in which this race was organized was matched by the short length of time needed by aeronauts all over the country to organize themselves and congregate on Albuquerque’s desert plain. With notice of a bit over a week, nineteen pilots and

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

balloons from eight states had entered the race. Some withdrew or merely failed to appear; some aeronauts were caught in an unseasonal snowstorm in Chicago, but twelve aeronauts representing California, Arizona, Iowa, Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, Nevada and of course New Mexico, made the launch site. If all nineteen entries had appeared, Albuquerque could have claimed the largest balloon gathering in the United States, exceeding the seventeen balloons at last year’s National Championships at Indianola, Iowa.

Radio station KOB, Albuquerque's NBC affiliate, was celebrating its 50th anniversary in broadcasting. Their network affiliation inspired Don Piccard to dub the California contingent 'The CBS Team", representing of course, the California Balloon Society. Another Piccard pun, and another club was born.

Aeronauts arriving in Albuquerque were treated like visiting brass. In fact, each pilot was commissioned "Colonel, Aide-de-Camp" on the Staff of the Governor of the State of New Mexico by Governor Bruce King! New Mexico now has a balloon air force.

Race day started at 6:00 a.m., calm and clear despite the fact that Albuquerque had just suffered a terrible sandstorm the previous week and natives pointed

Above: Brent Stockwell, in Firebird, ready for launch in the first Balloon Fiesta. Photo from the original 1991 article.

out that April is the windiest month of the year in New Mexico.

Each pilot was driven to the airport and issued a brand-new Chevrolet pick-up truck. I can almost hear the television commercial now: "Yessiree, friends and neighbors, Galles Chevrolet, in beautiful downtown Albuquerque, has twenty almost-brand-new pick-ups, driven only once through the desert by the little old wife of an aeronaut with a very light balloon." Each pilot was also issued one driver/aeronaut-retriever/groundcrew/ slave. I was fortunate enough to get Bill Blackwell, a young, strong, handsome radio announcer from Albuquerque's classical music station who is a future aeronaut and an excellent tour guide.

Albuquerqueans must be early risers, as the shopping center launch area was crowded by 7:00 a.m.; the Albuquerque Tribune estimated the crowd at 20,000, and the New York Times reported, “The first traffic jam the arid mesa northeast of town ever had.”

Someone had very considerately supplied about 1,800 square feet of plastic sheeting for each balloon to inflate on without getting too sandy or stuck in cactus.

Befitting this western setting was a mounted sheriff whose horse did the most fantastic four-legged version of the Mexican hat dance every time a balloon burner came on, and western character actor Slim Pickens stood on one foot and then the other, muttering "yep".

The Hare and Hound even naturally was called the "Roadrunner and Coyote Race”. Roadrunner Sid Cutter, with Don Draper, lifted off at 7:45. The coyote balloons, at 30-second intervals, followed fifteen minutes later.

All followed except Don Kersten in Merope, who took off about forty-five degrees off course to the east, and I in Firebird about forty-five degrees off course to the west.

I finally managed to turn Firebird around, but it was too much and too soon.

By the time Cutter landed Roadrunner, a sizable crowd gathered, and the contestants appeared to be landing in the middle of a parking lot full of cars.

From an organizational standpoint, the race was most impressive. For instance, no sooner had Firebird and I hit the ground than we were checked out by a medic (my landing wasn't that bad!), greeted and interviewed by a lady radio announcer, and presented with a bottle of Cold Duck by another beautiful lady. Wow! Matt Wiederkehr, in Flying Raven 1, had an early starting time and dogged Roadrunner to the landing site to take an early lead. Wilma Piccard, however, soon maneuvered Gypsy to within 206 feet and took over first place. That looked like it, until last-place starter Don Piccard, Wilma's husband/mentor, swooped the giant Spirit of '76 to a mere 184 feet from the target, putting the Piccard pair into first and second places in the final results. ''Too bad the kids weren't flying", kidded Piccard between gulps of champagne, but fortunately for Wiederkehr there were no more Piccards in the air that day.

With this outstanding race behind, an excellent effort first time out, the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association is already planning for their second race, "The First World Hot Air Balloon Championship.'' in Albuquerque 11-17 February 1973.

Good luck and please invite me.

Award-winning balloonist Brent Stockwell, one of the “Original 13” (see article on page 52) flew balloons for nearly five decades. He was the owner of Balloon Excelsior, a balloon flight school and repair station, served as an FAA designated examiner and aviation counselor, and co-authored several books with his late wife Christine Kalakuka, including 1998’s “Hot Air Balloons. Stockwell passed away in 2021 at the age of 89.

ALBUQUERQUE RACE RESULTS 1. Don Piccard, Newport Beach, Ca Piccard AX-8 Spirit of '76 2. Wilma Piccard, Newport Beach, Ca Piccard AX-6 Gypsy 3. Matt Wiederkehr, St. Paul, Minn. Raven AX-6 Flying Raven l 4. Karl Stefan, Palestine, Tex. Raven AX-6 Star of Texas 5. Gene Dennis, Grand Blanc, Mich. Raven AX-6 6. Carter Twedt, Carson City, Nev. Raven AX-6 7. Dennis Floden, Fenton, Mich. Raven AX-6 8. Bill Cutter, Phoenix, Ariz. Raven AX-6 * Bill Murtorff, Corpus Christi, Tex. Piccard AX-6 Smile * Brent Stockwell, Daly City, Ca. Piccard AX-4 Firebird * Oscar Kratz, Tucson, Ariz. * Don Kersten, Ft. Dodge, Iowa Piccard AX-6 Merope

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THE 1970s: 1972-1979

1973 T

he world came to Albuquerque in 1973, as 38 of the planet’s best aeronauts competed in the First World Hot Air Balloon Championships.

Impressed by the city’s enthusiasm for balloons at the 1972 KOB event and how well the pilots were treated, Balloon Federation of America President Don Kersten persuaded Sid Cutter to bid for the event – not bothering to tell Sid that Albuquerque was the only bidder!

The eight-day event, February 10-17, was actually even longer, because it was preceded by a separate competition to determine the four pilots who would represent the U.S. The World Championships and a separate rally for “Fiesta” flyers were held at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, which afforded seating and amenities for spectators, but did not allow them to go onto the launch field among the balloons.

The event was huge, considering that less than a year before the record for the largest U.S. balloon rally ever was 21. Thirty-eight world competitors and 90 Fiesta flyers thrilled visitors.

The championships turned out well for the home team: Denny Floden – “Captain Phogg” – took home the very first world trophy. The international and out of town visitors had a great time. Many of the Albuquerque volunteers who helped with the event were hooked and became balloonists themselves, providing both balloons and expertise to support future Balloon Fiestas.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

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1974

1974 didn’t feature a World Championship, but the budding Balloon Fiesta didn’t miss a beat. The first “stand-alone” event – and the first to officially bear the name Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – featured 111 balloons. The Balloon Fiesta once again was held at the State Fairgrounds, but it was becoming increasingly apparent that this wasn’t an ideal location. Balloons headed south inevitably encroached on the airport and Kirtland Air Force Base, and as Albuquerque grew, landing sites were becoming scarce – a refrain that impacts Balloon Fiesta to this day.

Sid Cutter, who ran the first

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

three Balloon Fiestas, was coming to the realization he needed to devote more time to his own budding ballooning business. People loved seeing balloons, but it was obvious a lot of changes were needed to assure the Balloon Fiesta’s long-term solvency and success.

1975

The world competitors were back in Albuquerque in 1975 for the second World Hot Air Balloon Championships. As in 1973, 38 of the world’s finest balloonists competed over several days and through a series of grueling tasks. American competitor David Schaffer emerged victorious.

Of more long-term importance, the Balloon Fiesta as we now know it began to emerge in 1975. After the 1974 event, organizers had reached the conclusion that both the time frame and the launch location needed to change. A weather study determined that early fall and specifically early October would be the best time for the event. A new site uptown – Simms Field, near I-25 and Jefferson – provided easy access and plenty of space for growth. With the move to the new field, for the

first time, spectators were allowed to walk among the balloons on the launch site, a rarity for air shows, where spectators are usually strictly separated from aircraft operations. This change was revolutionary and added a rare and perhaps unprecedented level of involvement and excitement for air show spectators.

But even as these plans were coming to fruition, the very future of the Balloon Fiesta was in jeopardy, as Sid Cutter withdrew from the day-to-day management to focus on his business. Fortunately, Mayor Harry Kinney realized the Balloon Fiesta created an incredible opportunity for Albuquerque to have a signature event that could bring revenue into the community.

He recruited business leaders to form a Citizens Committee to run the event. This committee, over the next couple of years, evolved into the current non-profit Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. One more lasting development came out of all the 1975 changes. Local balloonists were worried, with the move to October, that people would miss seeing balloons in February. So they held a separate February balloon rally, called the Cloudbouncer Rally, at the state fairgrounds. This 40-balloon event is now considered to be the first Friends and Lovers Rally, still held today.

And 1975 is sometimes referred to as the “year with two Fiestas.”

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

After all the 1975 changes, the Balloon Fiesta began to settle into a nice routine in 1976. With no world championships on the menu, balloonmeister Bob Ruppenthal set a different tone for the event, “He (and she) who has the most fun wins.” Fun competitions such as the Tumbleweed Drop were on the menu for the 150 participating balloonists.

Meanwhile, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta completed its incorporation and officially took over management of the annual event.

During the 1976 Fiesta, a number of the participating balloons were involved in the filming of “Day of the Balloons,” a multi-media film produced for exhibition at Busch Gardens. The final scene was shot in Albuquerque and at the Balloon Fiesta.

1976

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1977

1977 marked the first use of “The Big One” as a catchphrase for the Balloon Fiesta. With 194 balloons that year, the event was getting big, especially by the standards of the time. The balloons were getting bigger, too. Within a year, Sid Cutter acquired a 400,000 cu. ft. Raven from the Great Adventures amusement park. Balloons this size are frequently seen at Balloon Fiesta today, but back then it was a sensation, a good five times the size of almost anything else in the air. The technology of the

In 1978, ballooning and balloonists in Albuquerque were on an incredible high. Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman were worldwide heroes, the first persons to successfully cross the Atlantic by balloon (see page 188). That same week,

1978

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

time being what it was, flying it was a whole ‘nuther story for another time. Sid promptly dubbed his new gentle giant, “The Big One.”

Sid Cutter captured the 1978 National Hot Air Balloon Championship (his first of two). The Balloon Fiesta was really growing, for the first time topping 250 balloons (278, to be specific). But even with 278 determined pilots who were all sure they were going to win, nobody won the Balloon Fiesta’s first key grab competition (today called the Ring Toss), where balloonists fly by a pole and snatch the keys from the top to win a vehicle.

The souvenirs were getting more sophisticated, too. The first official Balloon Fiesta calendars appeared in 1976 and were hot items by 1978; they sell by the thousands today.

1979

The world’s balloonists continued to drop in in record numbers in 1979, with a whopping 360 balloons registered to fly. With all the growth – not just in balloons and pilots, but also sponsors, concessions and more – the Balloon Fiesta began to acquire the attributes of a permanent organization. The Board hired Linda Rutherford, one of the country’s earliest female commercial pilots (and at the time married to Tom Rutherford) as its first permanent employee and Executive Director. Linda and her stalwart volunteer staff moved into rented office space on Princeton Ave. NE. Also that year, the very first Balloon Fiesta poster appeared. ProCreations of New Orleans became the event’s licensed purveyor of official posters, a distinction they held for three decades. Today, many of the official posters sell for many times what people originally paid for them.

Balloonists also prize the official T-shirts printed during this era by Kevin White, the official T-shirt concessionaire for many years.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

LIGHTS IN THE DARKNESS

O PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

n a cold October day in 1978, in the pre-dawn darkness, two California balloonists made history – and no doubt startled a few Albuquerque early risers – by ascending into the sunrise on the first flight ever of the Dawn Patrol. The flight was the culmination of six month’s hard work and the realization of a dream, in the words of pilot Ron Thornton, “to be able to see the sunrise from a couple thousand feet above ground and see the morning shadows recede from above”.

When they came to the 1978 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Thornton and Ken O’Connor had just received the certification from the Federal Aviation Administration that would permit them to fly their balloons at night.

Balloons are generally certified to fly in daylight only for a very practical reason: the pilot needs to be able to see the ground in order to land safely. O’Conner and Thornton’s idea was to take off at dawn and fly into daylight.

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By the time they were ready to land, they would be able to see and avoid buildings, power lines, and other obstructions on the ground.

In order to receive certification, O’Connor and Thornton had to develop aircraft warning lights acceptable to the FAA and submit a ton of paperwork.

They got the final OK just before they were to leave their home base in Morgan Hill, California for the Balloon Fiesta. Now, they were ready to set sail into the unknown.

Above: A

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

2016 Dawn Patrol flight; note the aircraft warning lights hanging below the baskets.

and gold, breaking over the Sandia Mountains. Flying from the dark into the light is a beautiful and challenging experience.

Ken O’Connor and Ron Thornton never dreamed how this wonder of the night would evolve. Over the years, the Dawn Patrol slowly evolved into an integral part of Balloon Fiesta and now includes the Dawn Patrol Show, a coordinated ascension set to narration and music. Guests are delighted by the sight of the balloons ascending into the early morning dawn sky and majestically soaring over the still-shadowed field. Pilots watch the Dawn Patrollers closely and gratefully for a first indication of the winds they can expect when they ascend after sunrise.

Kenny O’Connor is no longer with us – he passed away several years ago -- but Ron Thornton is still flying. He still participates in the Balloon Fiesta from time to time, and when he does still flies the Dawn Patrol.

PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

In the pre-dawn, chilly darkness, the pilots inflated the balloons and attached the new aircraft warning lights.

The passengers climbed aboard: Tom Christopher, a crew person and later a longtime Balloon Fiesta launch officer, aboard as navigator since he was familiar with the local area, and Bill Tracy, a TV news photographer.

Tom Christopher, in his account of this historic flight, described– although not intended as such – what was likely the Balloon Fiesta’s very first Balloon Glow: “…when [the pilot heats] the balloon with its burners, the balloon lights up like a low watt light bulb, on a tremendous scale … [the] results are spectacular.” Aloft in the darkness, O’Connor and Thornton and their passengers were awed by an incredible vista seen only by those lucky enough to fly the Dawn Patrol: the ground fading into oblivion under the balloon, pierced only by a glittering panorama of city lights, and the growing dawn, in shades of gray and pink

To watch a video of the first Dawn Patrol flight, scan the QR code.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

2022 BALLOON DIRECTORY

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Abell, Jim KIPHAVEN Alameda, CA United States

Adams, Steven MISS SHENANIGANS Albuquerque, NM United States

Ambeau, Robert I WANNA WIN II Gonzales, LA United States

Appelman, Scott DOS EQUIS Scottsdale, AZ United States

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Anderson, Allen PIXIDELIC Minden, NV United States

Arkwell, Kathy CLYDESCOPE Peoria, IL United States

Baca, Rod CRUISE CONTROL Los Lunas, NM United States

Adelsberger, Kurt TRANSITION Mesquite, NV United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Anderson, Denny J.A.B Ankeny, IA United States

Armstrong, Bill BAND OF GOLD Goodyear, AZ United States

Bacon, Frank SUN FLYER Los Ranchos, NM United States

Adie, Martin HOPSCOTCH Edgewood, NM United States

Anger, Frank AMERICA Tupelo, MS United States

Ashworth, Jeffrey SLÁINTE! Corrales, NM United States

Bair, Dave BAIRLY AWAKE Colorado Springs, CO United States

Aley, Dave AFTERNOON DELIGHT Belen, NM United States

Aubol-Hanks, Nancy GIGGLES AND GRINS Bosque Farms, NM United States

Bair, Ray KALEIDOSCOPE Albuquerque, NM United States

Baird, Andy RED ROVER Dexter, MI United States

Ballengee, Kelli AIRRAGEOUS Placitas, NM United States

Beebe, Ken TORTUGA DEL FUEGO Rio Rancho, NM United States

Biernacki, Buzz MORNING MAGIC Albuquerque, NM United States

Belgarde, Sonja WILDFIRE Sun Prairie, WI United States

Blizzard, Will ZEUS Albuquerque, NM United States

Bowling, Dave THE WIND WHISPERER Parker, CO United States

Barnes, Kent BELLESTAR Murray, UT United States

Bennett, Brian DEJA VU Agency, IA United States

Boring, Gordon BOYNTON CRITTERS Commerce Twp, MI United States

Bowman, James DOT Oklahoma City, OK United States

Bartra, Alex AIRMOSA Rio Rancho, NM United States

Bertetto, Mike NERFER Albuquerque, NM United States

Boulger, John DAKOTA STAR Fargo, ND United States

Boyd, Gary THE GRATEFUL RED Albuquerque, NM United States

Bauwens, Mike BETTY’S BABY GRAND Park City, UT United States

Bowie, Manning RISING STARS Martinez, GA United States

Braden, Kris RAINBOW RYDERS Rio Rancho, NM United States

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

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Braden, Morgan HIGHBISCUS Lake Havasu City, AZ United States

Bradley, Troy RAINBOW RYDERS Albuquerque, NM United States

Bramble, Curt STARS & STRIPES Provo, UT United States

Breffeilh, Margaret SAPPHIRE Victor, ID United States

Brennand, Mike MILAGRO Tijeras, NM United States

Bristol, David ORANGE CRUSH Sautee Nacoochee, GA United States

Broker, Bill EXCELLENCE Plano, TX United States

Brown, Tom TOMFOOLERY Plainwell, MI United States

Browning, Derek THIS END UP Louisville, KY United States

Browning, Jody TATER TOT Rio Rancho, NM United States

Brunner, Pierre RAINBOW RYDERS Yountville, CA United States

Buckner, Jason HALE-LUCINATIONS Albuquerque, NM United States

Buesing, Jeff RUSS BUSS Colorado Springs, CO United States

Buesing, Russ LITTLE HOPPER Centennial, CO United States

Burdue, Bradley RUBIK Whitehouse, OH United States

Burgess, Zach RAINBOW RYDERS Ashland, OH United States

Burman, Leo MONARCHS Montreal, Québec Canada

Bussey, Bill YEN YANG Longview, TX United States

Butler, Bill MONKEY BUSINESS Alamogordo, NM United States

Byberg, Bruce AUTUMN DREAM Bloomfield, NJ United States

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Caldwell, Clint PATIENT ENDURANCE Albuquerque, NM United States

Caldwell, Trent TRENT’Z K’IDD Albuquerque, NM United States

Candelaria, Joe MR. BLUE SKIES Albuquerque, NM United States

Carlson, Brian DREAMS FULFILLED Wakarusa, KS United States

Carlton, Ryan CAZOOEE Danville, IL United States

Carlton-Vish, Donna SUNNY SIDE UP Danville, IL United States

Carpenter, Michael SWEET CAROLINE II Rio Rancho, NM United States

Carreathers, Lonnie SPECTRUM Rio Rancho, NM United States

Carroll, Sean TWISTED DRIFTER Marietta, GA United States

Carter, Buddy FLYING RAINBOW Pleasant Garden, NC United States

Cass, Gary RED HOT! Yuma, AZ United States

Cathey, Phil SKITTLES Roswell, NM United States

Caton, Tom TIME TRAVELER Byrnes Mill, MO United States

Centers, Ron CAPT. AMERICA Portage, MI United States

Chando, Morghan FLYAWAY2 Albuquerque, NM United States

Chando, Pat PATTURNS IN CZECH Albuquerque, NM United States

Chase, Brian PINWHEEL Moscow, PA United States

Chavez, Laurie JESSE’S GIRL TOO Albuquerque, NM United States

Christensen, Dave MOONSHADOW Hot Springs, SD United States

Christian, Bret RESURREXION Indianola, IA United States

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Čižius, Jastin PILKIUS Elektrėnai, Vilnius Lithuania

Clinger, Phil LIBERTY Battle Creek, MI United States

Cliver, Bubba PTREE Lewisville, TX United States

Cochran, Tony COLORADO Broomfield, CO United States

Cooper, Gary RAINBOW RYDERS Rio Rancho, NM United States

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Clapp, Royce GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE McCook, NE United States

Cliver, Chris HAPPY HOUR Houston, TX United States

Coffing, Steve TWIST OF FATE Albuquerque, NM United States

Cooper, Hal UPTUIT Port Hope, Ontario Canada

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Clark, Richard OUR TREAT Calgary, Alberta Canada

Cloyd, Tim SON LIGHT Runnells, IA United States

Converse, Karen PENUMBRA Albuquerque, NM United States

Copas, Jerry EZ-BALLOON Sellersburg, IN United States

Cline, Don DAYBREAK II Greensboro, NC United States

Coan, Larry SUPERFLUOUS New Hudson, MI United States

Cook, Kelli HIGH MAINTENANCE Denver, CO United States

Cowen, Dave ANGEL WINGS Corrales, NM United States

Crouch, Clayton FINISH LINE Denver, CO United States

Curry, Ron 770 KKOB Corrales, NM United States

Davidson, John CHEZ RADIO Belmont, Ontario Canada

Davie, Ryan TWILIGHT ZONE Rio Rancho, NM United States

Despres, Denise BOOBOULINA Cedar Crest, NM United States

Dimmitt, Bill SUNRISE ANGEL Los Lunas, NM United States

Cusick, Jim BOLT Marysville, OH United States

Dennis, Chad PHIVE Grand Blanc, MI United States

Dickey, Bill DIAMOND GIRL Corrales, NM United States

Dinkler, Fred SKYLEIDOSCOPE Livingston, TX United States

Czerniawski, Jerzy AVIPOL Bialystok, Podlaskie Poland

Dennis, Sean NEIL Grand Blanc, MI United States

Dickey, Frank 2ND WIND Albuquerque, NM United States

Dobbs, Bill EL TIGRE Kamas, UT United States

Davenport, Richard XMAXX Ormond Beach, FL United States

Derebey, Steve GOT THE HOTZ Rio Rancho, NM United States

Dicks, Bob FLECKFOLLY5 Churchville, PA United States

Doll, Penny RACING WITH THE WIND Roeland Park, KS United States

Donner, Nick SMILEY Louisville, KY United States

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Dougherty, Don Draughn, Ken DARK SUNRISE XTREMELY CONTAGIOUS Colorado Springs, CO Burlington, NC United States United States

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Drganc, Luka JACK FM Belmont, Ontario Canada

Duer Jr., Darrell CRIMSON FLAME Oklahoma City, OK United States

Duff, Jeff SINCERELY Albuquerque, NM United States

Duff, Ryan IMPULSE DECISIONS Hallsville, MO United States

Dumke, Don FLO Florence, WI United States

Duval-Harbour, Jesse ST.-JEAN-SURRICHELIEU FIESTA St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec, Canada

Dyer, JD FLYING FOR HEROES Ammanford, Carmarthenshire United Kingdom

Eakin, Sean SHOTGUN RIDER Cameron, NC United States

Edwards, Don HEAD SOUTH Soldotna, AK United States

Edmiston, Fred STARS Maxwell, TX United States

Eichhorn, Dave MARAUDER’S MARK Corrales, NM United States

Eldridge, Stacy TEARDROP COWBOY Rio Rancho, NM United States

Emry, Gordon FRESH AIRE III Norfolk, NE United States

Enloe, Stuart HIGHNLOE Woodstock, GA United States

Evans, Tim CREW BALLOON Cedar Crest, NM United States

Ewer, Dan FOOLISH PLEASURE Tucson, AZ United States

Favero, Marcus LIFTIN’ SPIRITS Smithfield, VA United States

Fenske, David CRIMSON STAR Albuquerque, NM United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Ferguson, Charles FREEDOM FLYER Tucson, AZ United States

Ferguson, Ken Ferrall, Rick ITSA TOUCHIE SUBJECT STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN Albuquerque, NM Oxford, MS United States United States

Fisher, Tom BREEZY RIDER Albuquerque, NM United States

Fitch, Matt PLUM FANCY Albuquerque, NM United States

Fitzgerald, William VOYAGER Lubbock, TX United States

Fleury, Mike FLEUR DE TUCSON Red Rock, AZ United States

Fogue, Pat MIMOSA Columbia, MO United States

Ford, Mike WHITAKER’S GIFT Albuquerque, NM United States

Forenz, Tom DA BLUES Georgetown, CO United States

Fortney, Wayne ROSIE Kingsport, TN United States

Francoeur, Danielle PIXEL Montreal, Québec Canada

Francois, Jean-Michel DRAGONFLY Salles Courbaties, Québec, Canada

Freedman, Neil PSYCHO THERAPY Albuquerque, NM United States

Freeman, Cameron ADVENTURE 3 Vail, CO United States

Fricke, Barbara SPIRITS IN THE SKY Albuquerque, NM United States

Fritze, Mark FREEDOMFLYER Tallahassee, FL United States

Gabaldon, Henry BUCKEYE Albuquerque, NM United States

Gabriel, Jason SPIRIT OF ‘76 Colorado Springs, CO United States

Galaz, Yvette SHELBY’S SUNRISE Albuquerque, NM United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

81

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Gallant, Mike IRIS AROSE Columbus, IN United States

Garcia, Greg ELLAVATION Albuquerque, NM United States

Gauthier, Guy HI VIZ Henderson, TX United States

Gebhart, Jim STEP-N-UP Milford, IA United States

82

Gauthier, Marty AIR BENDER Waterford, MI United States

George, Peter GRAND BRITANNIA Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom

Glebe, Phil INTEL Fenton, MI United States

Garcia, Jerry TENTAI THE SEQUEL Albuquerque, NM United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Gauthier, Travis CORN NUTZ Waterford, MI United States

Gilles, Jeff TCBALLOONTOURS Traverse City, MI United States

Gleed, David PEGASUS Coldstream, British Columbia, Canada

Garcia-Perrote, Juan CITI RADIO Belmont, Ontario Canada

Gebhart, Aaron STEP-N-UP Milford, IA United States

Gindlesparger, Mark PHENOM Murphysboro, IL United States

Glen, Bill HEAVENS QUILT Maricopa, AZ United States

Gardner, Tom AJUUA DREAMER Albuquerque, NM United States

Glas, Richard HEAD WEST AGAIN Phoenix, AZ United States

Godlevsky, Curt SUNWALKER Littleton, CO United States

Goldbloom, Jenn WONDERFUL WHIRLED Norristown, PA United States

Gonzales, Bob LOOK TWICE Waco, TX United States

Gorenflo, Mike AIR FLO Albuquerque, NM United States

Graf, Sandy AMERICAN RACER Henderson, TX United States

Goss, Dick LAST MANGO Leander, TX United States

Graff, Gerry LOFTY Albuquerque, NM United States

Green, John INTREPID Albuquerque, NM United States

Gonzales, Michael THE JOURNEY Rio Rancho, NM United States

Gough, Tom AIRE MARC TOO Grand Canyon, AZ United States

Graham, Sandy DAYBREAK Alta Loma, CA United States

Greenwood, Eric ENCHANTED Albuquerque, NM United States

Goosey, Rick TJ’S TOY Pleasant Hill, MO United States

Grace, Tamlyn CALYPSO Longmont, CO United States

Grassbaugh, Derek INTERVENTION Albuquerque, NM United States

Griego, Jeff AMERICAN BEAUTY Albuquerque, NM United States

Gordon, Edward FREEDOM WON Austin, TX United States

Grauberger, Sheldon RAINBOW RYDERS Minden, NV United States

Grogan, Patrick PAT-O-LANTERN Cleveland, NC United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

83

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Grote, Matthew JESTER UNWINDZ Rio Rancho, NM United States

Hackett, Myia RIK RAK Walla Walla, WA United States

84

Gunter, Ryan SKY CHARIOT Albuquerque, NM United States

Gustafson, Gus FREEDOM FLIGHT IV Arden Hills, MN United States

Hahn, Allan Hickey, Mike HEAVEN BOUND, TOO MIKE’S 2 IRRESISTIBLE Aurora, CO McKinney, TX United States United States

Guthrie, Matt NEW BEGINNINGS Corrales, NM United States

Haarhuis, Sanne DUTCH DIRECT Breda, North Brabant Netherlands

Harbold, Clarke IT’S A ZOO Charlotte, NC United States

Hargrave, Ashley SOMETHING BORROWED Mesa, AZ United States

Harris, Mark SEW GRATEFUL Denver, CO United States

Hartshorn, Sharon SEEKING NIRVANA Amarillo, TX United States

Harwell, Pat MAVERICK Keithville, LA United States

Haynes, Anthony ALMOST THERE Houston, TX United States

Hays, Craig BEAUTIFUL NOISE Coppell, TX United States

Head, Tarp HIGH OVER HEAD Helen, GA United States

Healy, Bob AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ Albuquerque, NM United States

Heartsill, Joe TEXAS RACER San Angelo, TX United States

Heartsill, Lucas TEXAS RACER 2 Fort Worth, TX United States

Heartsill, Rhett TEXAS STAR Fort Worth, TX United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Heavin, Gary ALMOST HEAVEN Gatesville, TX United States

Heffron, Mike BRIGHT IDEA Albuquerque, NM United States

Heideman, Mark DESERT FLYING VIKING Albuquerque, NM United States

Heiken, Paul SPHERICAL TURTLE Stockton, CA United States

Heinrich, Sally PATIENCE Phoenix, AZ United States

Held, Adrian CUPID’S HEART Lachen Switzerland

Hennigan, John RAINBOW RYDERS Indio, CA United States

Hernandez, Mike CALYPSO Largo, FL United States

Hettich, David LONG RUN Centennial, CO United States

Heupel, Casey BACK TO THE FUTURE West Glacier, MT United States

Hickey, Mike MAKIN’ MEMORIES League City, TX United States

High, Mark PEPPERMINT DREAM TOO Albuquerque, NM United States

Hill, Bryan BASKET CASE Page, AZ United States

Hillary, Garrett FORGET ME KNOT Scales Mound, IL United States

Hoch, Darcy HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS Milo, IA United States

Hodge, Justin OPPULENCE Los Ranchos, NM United States

Hodges, Eric KKISSES OF FIRE Rio Rancho, NM United States

Hoefler, Greg CAPRICE DU CIEL Chaillon, LORRAINE France

Hofer, John JYN’S TONIC Chadron, NE United States

Hofheins, Mark THE VIKING DRAGON Rio Rancho, NM United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

85

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Hoge, Peyton PHEISTY Louisville, KY United States

Holt, Judy DESERT DRIFTER Phoenix, AZ United States

Hooper, Jerry S.S. AMERICA Corpus Christi, TX United States

Hueschen, Rick TOOTS Cedar Crest, NM United States

Hunter, Seth ZILTOID! Avon, IN United States

86

Hoidahl, Jim SQUIRREL La Luz, NM United States

Hora, Tomas G-DADDY Praha Czech Republic

Humiston, Charles FLAMEBUOYANT 2 Albuquerque, NM United States

Hurst, Matt THE CAPTAIN St. Peters, MO United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Holmes, David JOSEPH’S COAT Rocheport, MO United States

Howell, Dustin BREEZY Minden, LA United States

Humphreys, Ben HAMMER Columbia, MO United States

Hutchinson, Scott FLYING SQUID Albuquerque, NM United States

Holmes, Jerry LIBERTY Fort Worth, TX United States

Howes, Skip WILDFIRE Colorado Springs, CO United States

Hungerford, Brenda HOT CHEX Dayton, NV United States

Ibbotson, Mark MARIAH Grand Prairie, TX United States

Ibbotson-Sullivan, Amanda STARDUST Fort Worth, TX United States

Jackson, Neil FLYING CIRCUS Albuquerque, NM United States

Johnson, Colleen MARY ALICE IN WONDERLAND Mitchell, NE United States

Johnson, Jeff KISMET Yuma, AZ United States

Jones, Jason RAINBOW RYDERS Overland Park, KS United States

Karlsson, Diane AFTER MIDNIGHT Chandler, TX United States

James, Gay WANDERER Orland, CA United States

Johnson, Mike SKYTREK Mitchell, NE United States

Jones, Joel BLUE SPIRIT Seale, AL United States

Kaufman, Blair HEARTS DESIRE Albuquerque, NM United States

James, Rick SUNDANCE TOO Judson, TX United States

Johnson, Randy AIR SHE GOES Bosque Farms, NM United States

Jones, Rick POLAR DAWN Concord, NH United States

Keefe, Chris NIFTY GADGET Cross Plains, WI United States

Jennings, Rex GOLDEN CORRAL Vernal, UT United States

Jones, Chris SERENITY Amarillo, TX United States

Jones, Steve TEXAS MAGIC Gatesville, TX United States

Keller, Kelli KC Box Elder, SD United States

Keller, Tom HEART AIR Box Elder, SD United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

87

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

88

Kelly, Mike PRIMARY DREAM Albuquerque, NM United States

Kennedy, Craig CHICK FIL-A Grand Island, NE United States

Kenworthy, Chris ON THE ROCKS Rio Rancho, NM United States

Keown, Brian ADVENTURE 6 Marina Del Rey, CA United States

Kerber, Junior SUNSHINE Saint Cloud, FL United States

Keyser, Ralph EOS Albuquerque, NM United States

Kimball, Jayson OUT OF THE BLUE Napa, CA United States

King, Mike UPSY DAISY Sandia Park, NM United States

Kious, Tom DREAM ON Albuquerque, NM United States

Kirson, Damian RAINBOW RYDERS Albuquerque, NM United States

Klein, Ray SKUBI RACER Scottsdale, AZ United States

Kleiss, Betsy 4EVER39 Champaign, IL United States

Klinger, Marc OOCHIE 7 Troutman, NC United States

Knuth, Paul SOMETHING CAME UP Crestwood, KY United States

Koenig, David BLULOON Menasha, WI United States

Komadina, Mark NEVER FORGET Rio Rancho, NM United States

Kostiuskevicius, Rokas MARIJAMPOLE Marijampolė Lithuania

Kross, Bob MORNING MANNA Rapid City, SD United States

Kubicek, Petr KUBICEK DEMO K Brno Czech Republic

Kugler, John STILL FLAMING McCook, NE United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Lambertson, Marsha COCA-COLA Statesville, NC United States

Lang, Dale JELLY BEAN Taber, Alberta Canada

Lard, Anthony RAINBOW RYDERS Albuquerque, NM United States

LaRotonda, Carol AEROTONDA Albuquerque, NM United States

Lavoie, Michael SCHMEDLEY West Ossipee, NH United States

Lavorgna, Bruce AERODACTYL Austin, TX United States

Laxton, Kyle RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Lee, Bill TRUE-LEE NEW MEXICO Gallup, NM United States

Lescarbeau, Alan RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Libel, Steve AIRHAWK Naples, FL United States

Liberti, Chris POLE DANCER Castle Rock, CO United States

Liberti, Daniel MORNING WOOD Rio Rancho, NM United States

Lindsey, Greg FLOATING AWAYSIS Safford, AZ United States

Lips, Arne LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN West-Vlaanderen Belgium

Little, Jacob RAINBOW RYDERS Glendale, AZ United States

Little, Lee PHENIX Stillwater, OK United States

Llado-Costa, Josep TRAMUNTANA Igualada, Catalonia Spain

Loflin, Jack EMERALD Albany, OR United States

Lombardi, Steve WINNERS CIRCLE Edgewood, TX United States

Lorentz, Mike WASTING TIME Canton, OH United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

89

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Lowenstein, Al SUNSET RISE Albuquerque, NM United States

Luckett, Graham TALLY HO II Fort Collins, CO United States

MacSkimming, Mark MOVIN’ MAGIC Harrisburg, PA United States

Mancini, J.J. MR. SPRINKLES Albuquerque, NM United States

Maes, Ted BUZZARDS ROOST Albuquerque, NM United States

Manus, William MEH Bosque Farms, NM United States

Martens, Eric HOTSHOT Indianola, IA United States

90

Lynch, Bill CITRUS Neosho, MO United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Magee, Adam HIGHER EDUCATION Swisher, IA United States

Marchand, Austin ORSO Pagosa Springs, CO United States

Martin, Ron FREEDOM Tampa, FL United States

Lynch, Jim WHIRLAWAY Destin, FL United States

Maguire, Gary DRAGON Allenspark, CO United States

Markowitz, David WILDRIDE Maryland, NY United States

Martin, Tim MAHNA MAHNA Counce, TN United States

MacLean, Tristan HOT MINUTE Albuquerque, NM United States

Marshall, Jimmy MORNING GLORY Sonoma, CA United States

Martindell, Don DAWN SONG Albuquerque, NM United States

Martinez, Frankie RAKS BALLOON Los Lunas, NM United States

Marx, Michael FIRED UP TOO Prosper, TX United States

McClinton, Adam RAINBOW RYDERS Charlotte, NC United States

McConnell, Tom ZIA Albuquerque, NM United States

McClinton, Matt SKYCAB2 Louisville, KY United States

McCord, Christopher DETOUR Albuquerque, NM United States

Michalek, Gary OSLIVE VZDUCHO Lafayette, CA United States

Mason, Jaybird REALTY ONE OF NEW MEXICO Albuquerque, NM United States

McClinton, Scott U.S. BANK Prospect, KY United States

McGuire, Dan WILD THING TOO! College Station, TX United States

Miklousic, Igor CELEBRATION OF FLOWERS Zagreb, Croatia

Mass, Bob PITA’S KISS Albuquerque, NM United States

McClung, Collin EO Albuquerque, NM United States

Melton, Dave PURPLE HAZE New Harmony, UT United States

Miller, Dick THUNDERSTRUCK Miami, FL United States

Mast, Squid RAVEN Albuquerque, NM United States

Mezzancello, Steven MEZZMERIZE Albuquerque, NM United States

Miller, Greg I’LL FLY AWAY 2 Prineville, OR United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

91

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

92

Mills, Mike MISS ARKANSAS Ponca, AR United States

Mitchell, Mark SUNDANCE BALLOONS Belmont, Ontario Canada

Mitchell, Steve RAINBOW RYDERS Chagrin Falls, OH United States

Moore, Gary DARKSIDE 2020 Lake Havasu City, AZ United States

Morgan, Gary GARY’S BALLOON Sedona, AZ United States

Moughan, Gavin REBEL ANGEL Albuquerque, NM United States

Mullinax, Tom 5 O CLOCK HIGH Greenville, SC United States

Mumm, Karalyn CITRUS IN THE SKY Reno, NV United States

Nakamura, Judy BOUNCE Placitas, NM United States

Naylor, Jesse ALL IN Albuquerque, NM United States

Nepute, Joe JAMBO! Boise, ID United States

Neubauer, Rick BREAKING WIND Port Orange, FL United States

Newcomer, Jesse RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Nickolay, Larry MONTGOLFIER Newport, MN United States

Noe, Bill UP TWO NOE GOOD Gallup, NM United States

Nutting, Rob KAMPGROUNDS OF AMERICA Ackworth, IA United States

Oggioni, Paolo MONDOVI Mondovì, CN Italy

Oldenburg, Sue SKY CANDY Albuquerque, NM United States

Olguin, Paul SILVER LINING Chandler, AZ United States

Olivier, Orvin SERENITY V Sioux Falls, SD United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

O’Neill, Mark CHYM FM Belmont, Ontario Canada

Orchard, Tim BUGS BUNNY Aylesbury, Bucks United Kingdom

Osborne, Dwayne SKYSCRAPER Phoenix, AZ United States

Ostgulen, Debi PLUM FIRED-UP Albuquerque, NM United States

Ouellette Freve, Johann Francois KIRMIZI Longueuil, Quebec Canada

Owen, Brooke RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Pata, John PATA GOLD Rio Rancho, NM United States

Pattyn, Dale HYGGELIG Kennesaw, GA United States

Paulin, Jerry TREE TOP FLYER Yuma, AZ United States

Paulin, Mathew UNWIND Yuma, AZ United States

Peete, Lichele SILVER LINING Albuquerque, NM United States

Pendleton, Craig SPIRIT TOO! Albuquerque, NM United States

Person, Bud SCREWED UP GATOR Gainesville, FL United States

Peterson, Deborah BLUE AWAY Euless, TX United States

Peterson, Karl AERPOGRAPHY Hailey, ID United States

Petrehn, Andrew FLYAWAY1 Eagle, ID United States

Petrehn, John KODACHROME Missouri City, TX United States

Petrehn, Paul TWISTED SISTER Howell, MI United States

Pfeifer, Grant WITH A TWIST Des Moines, IA United States

Philpott, Martin AUSPICIOUS Bixby, OK United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

93

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Piendel, Rick BLASER !

Annville, PA United States

Price, Jessica PRIMARY COLORS Rio Rancho, NM United States

Price, Kelly OODALOOP Rio Rancho, NM United States

Raskob, Chris HIGH RYES Columbus, IN United States

Rice, Brad PHILLIPS 66 Rio Rancho, NM United States

94

Pivic, Bruce MISS WYOMING Rock Springs, WY United States

Pulaski, Bob SKI LIFT Pineville, LA United States

Raya, Shawn SULLAIR A HITACHI GROUP COMPANY Highland, MI United States

Rice, Debbie FOXTROT Houston, TX United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Polito, Tony RIO GRANDE DOWN SYNDROME NETWORK Scottsdale, AZ United States

Randall, Thomas ENCHANTED ESPERANZA Placitas, NM United States

Regan, James DOUBLE TAKE Kensington, CT United States

Richardson, Bobby DOUBLE TROUBLE Rio Rancho, NM United States

Ponticelli, Jack CAROLINA KALEIDOSCOPE East Bend, NC United States

Raper, Robert FALLEN ANGELS North Bend, OR United States

Reuter, Bethany STARBURST OF DESTINY Minneapolis, MN United States

Richardson, Shane WILDTHANG! Henderson, NV United States

Rightley, Mike BREAKING WIND Albuquerque, NM United States

Robey, Sam CROSSWIND Gladewater, TX United States

Rogers, Randy RE/MAX Albuquerque, NM United States

Roholt, Jesse RAINBOW RYDERS Peoria, AZ United States

Russo, Tom SPIRIT Monroe Twp., NJ United States

Sachenbacher, Rudi NEVER TOO OLD Lowell, MA United States

Robinson, Cody GRAND BANANA Kansas City, MO, United States

Rodden, John SONRISE Owasso, OK United States

Ross, John Rucker, John Rudy, Walt SHOOTIN THE BREEZE LATE NITE DISCUSSIONS HOUR BIG BUNDLE OF Appleton, WI Genoa City, WI JOY United States United States Wadsworth, OH United States

Ruth, Dale DAWN’S DELIGHT Albuquerque, NM United States

Salazar, Alfred INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL CENTER Bernalillo, NM United States

Robison, Matt INDEPENDENCE Fort Worth, TX United States

Sabia, Chris WONDER BREAD Overland Park, KS United States

Salazar, Katelyn PIXIE SPIRIT Los Lunas, NM United States

Sabin, Richard SEA BREEZE Henderson, TX United States

Sanchez, Elijah RAINBOW RYDERS Albuquerque, NM United States

Sanchez, Ron WEGO Albuquerque, NM United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

95

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

96

Sandlin, Taylon BLOWN AWAY Fishers, IN United States

Sandlin, Tony RAINBOW RYDERS Fishers, IN United States

Sasser, Daniel MAS TEQUILA Charlotte, NC United States

Saxton, Tony TOO BODACIOUS Nicholson, PA United States

Schick, Chuck TOO GOOD LOOKIN Bosque Farms, NM United States

Schmitz, Jon RAGGEDY ANN Littleton, CO United States

Schuler, Nolan BELLA COLORADO Manitou Springs, CO United States

Schultz, Marvin SUNDANCE BALLOONS Belmont, Ontario Canada

Schwemmer, Kasey KAISARION Wichita, KS United States

Seay, Sam DEVINE APPOINTMENT Albuquerque, NM United States

Secrist, Mckenna ENDLESS JOY Enumclaw, WA United States

See, Glenn ITSZEE Cortez, CO United States

Seeger, Anthony CAROLINA TWIST Travelers Rest, SC United States

Seghers, Jos SKY STAR Breendonk Belgium

Seymour, Joe JOYOUS PLEASURES Johnston, IA United States

Sherrill, Dan BEST Manchaca, TX United States

Shipman, Shane I DON’T KNOW Rio Rancho, NM United States

Short, Dennis CHAMPAGNE COWBOY Broken Arrow, OK United States

Shouse, Michael THISTLE DOWN III Cypress, TX United States

Shumate, Kenny “B” HAPPY Orlando, FL United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Simonye, Curtis OOMPA LOOMPA Fishers, IN United States

Sklute, Ken FRACTALS Florence, AZ United States

Skocdopole, Cliff NORTHERN FLIGHTS Condor, Alberta Canada

Smart, Chris DREAM RACER Roanoke, IN United States

Smatana, Bernard EMINENCE El Paso, TX United States

Smith, Al NORTHERN LIGHTS Grass Lake, MI United States

Smith, Kathy LEVITY Albuquerque, NM United States

Smith, Neal FRIVOLOUS Albuquerque, NM United States

Smith, Patrick MARYLAND ONE Walkersville, MD United States

Sneed, Josh HELIOS Hutto, TX United States

Soffera, Janet VACATION Rio Rancho, NM United States

Speicher, Shawn GUT-WRENCHING Albuquerque, NM United States

Squires, Rick HIGHER DESIRE Albuquerque, NM United States

Standefer, Wayne AIR TOY Italy, TX United States

Stanke, Natasha BANK BOBBER Albuquerque, NM United States

Stanko, Nick AIRWOLF Austin, TX United States

Steidley, David IT’S ABOUT TIME! Albuquerque, NM United States

Steinbock, Tom SUNSET GLOW Crestwood, KY United States

Stevens, Patrick RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Stinson, Michael SHAKE N BAKE Louisville, KY United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

97

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Stokoe, Steven KNIGHT RIDER Lutz, FL United States

Strickland, Dave SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE Columbus, OH United States

Stukas, Dan LUCKY STRIKE Central, SC United States

Stukas, DJ GUSTY Anderson, SC United States

Sullivan, Dave CHECKRIDE Fayetteville, GA United States

Sullivan, Mark CODE RED Albuquerque, NM United States

Sutter, Denis LUCKY CHARM Hallsville, MO United States

Tadolini, Ken OUTLAW Denver, CO United States

Tagtow, Cory CORONA BOREALIS Colorado Springs, CO United States

Takach, Keith TAKACH ANOTHER BREEZE Albuquerque, NM United States

Tennis, Dave CAVU Tijeras, NM United States

Thacher, Elaine I’M BANANAS II Albuquerque, NM United States

Thornton, Floyd THUNDERCLOUD St. Louis, MO United States

Thornton, Ron PEANUTS 4EVER Littleton, MA United States

Talbert, Elisa BABY BOBBER Albuquerque, NM United States

Thomas, George TIGER PAW EXPRESS Hallsville, MO United States

98

Tatum, Daryl Taylor, Tim YELLOW BRICK ROAD DEE III BALLOON TEAM Canton, GA Salt Lake City, UT United States United States

Thompson, Jon RAINBOW RYDERS Kissimmee, FL United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Thompson, Phil BUZZ Galena, IL United States

Trapp, Brian TINY Lebanon, OH United States

Vaillancourt, Jacob CLOUDSURFER Trois Rivieres, Québec Canada

Vaillancourt, Richard DOCO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec, Canada

Van Dyck, Chris ZEPHYR Albuquerque, NM United States

Van Hooft, Frans MIA Schijndel, North Brabant Netherlands

Van Sant, Kurt BURNING DESIRE Albuquerque, NM United States

Van Sant, Lori BLACK MAGIC WOMAN Albuquerque, NM United States

Vandehoef, Ed COLORADO 2 Broomfield, CO United States

VanWye, Sandra VOLCANIC MOTION Placitas, NM United States

Vencel, Travis RAINBOW RYDERS Bloomington, IN United States

Vesely, Scott LIGHTHOUSE BUSINESS INFORMATION SOLUTIONS, LLC Frisco, TX, United States

Viens, Helene HELENA SUNSET Magog, Québec Canada

Voorhees, Mike CRYPTONAUT Albuquerque, NM United States

Wade-Callihan, Clare COLOR ME HIGH Houston, TX United States

Wadley, Mike TEXAS SUN Weldon Spring, MO United States

Wahl, John KOLIBRI Edgewood, NM United States

Walker, Bill HONEY DO Albuquerque, NM United States

Walker, Elizabeth LOOKING GLASS Addison, TX United States

Wall, Cam Wallace, Marilyn GRANDMA’S LEGACY RAINBOW THRU HEAVEN Las Vegas, NM Santa Monica, CA United States United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

99

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

100

Walsh, Dan LAST CHANCE Redlands, CA United States

Walter, Ken KAY’S WINDDANCER II Waukesha, WI United States

Waner, Bubba HUBBABUBBA El Paso, TX United States

Ward, Bob CREATION’S GLORY Quakertown, PA United States

Warren, Suzanne AIRLOOM Rio Rancho, NM United States

Watson, Barney COOL BEANS!!

Placitas, NM United States

Watson-Meinke, Peggy STARLITE Santa Paula, CA United States

Wehner, Chuck BOTTOM’S UP Rio Rancho, NM United States

Welz, Zerek GUILTY Albuquerque, NM United States

West, Kay RED, WHITE & POOH Custer, SD United States

West, Mark DEJA POOH Custer, SD United States

Whitby, Gary DEJA BLU Columbia, MO United States

White, Cheri TOUCHSTONE RACER Austin, TX United States

White, Derek ALCHEMY Clinton, UT United States

White, Malcolm HEARTS A’ FIRE Trim, Meath Ireland

Whitling, Ian ROY-G-BIV Albuquerque, NM United States

Wiley, Sam WILEY COYOTE San Marcos, TX United States

Williams, Jim PIX Katy, TX United States

Williams, Steve MISCHIEF Albuquerque, NM United States

Williams, Sr., Lewin SPLIT-TAIL Las Vegas, NV United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Wilson, Johnny JAW’S Albuquerque, NM United States

Wilson, Petra KALEIDOSCOPE Hot Springs, SD United States

Wilson, Steve EMPTY NEST Pagosa Springs, CO United States

Wolf, Dennis ZULU Tampa, FL United States

Wolfe, Jonathan INFINITUDE Albuquerque, NM United States

Wong, Dale URSA MINOR Rancho Cucamonga, CA United States

Wood, Bruce TARGET SEEKER Carbondale, CO United States

Woodruff, Adele AIRE-N GO BRAGH Albuquerque, NM United States

Wooge, Scott BANK ON IT St. Louis, MO United States

Word, Glen TOUCH OF MAGIC Anthony, NM United States

Wright, Thomee UNCHAINED BALLOON TEAM Albuquerque, NM United States

Young, Debby ROADTRIP Albuquerque, NM United States

Zamora, Loretta SAKI BOMBER Albuquerque, NM United States

Zielinski, Alan FEATHERLIGHT II Niles, IL United States

Zimmer, Jesse HUCKLEBERRY Rio Rancho, NM United States

Zimmer, Rachel KANDY LAND Rio Rancho, NM United States

Zvada, Joe MAY IT LAST McAllen, TX United States

SPIRIT OF FIESTA II Albuquerque, NM United States

FIESTA GOLD Albuquerque,NM United States

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

101

Where

SERVICE, SELECTION AND SAVINGS

matter!

STARBUCKS • PHARMACY •BAKERY DELI • ICE • FRESH MEAT & PRODUCE COLD BEER • WINE & LIQUOR

Proud to be the Official Supermarket of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®!

Look for our booth for a chance to win FREE prizes!

Join our General Mills Albuquerque Team

Technician Role

Starting Rate

$21.79/hr

120

Vacation Hours

Career

Advancement

88Hours

Paid Holiday

Differential

technical training

Paid Parental

Bonding Leave

Medical, Dental and

Life & AD&D

Vision Insurance

Insurance

TEXT

“Genmills” to 97211

OR LEARN MORE AT CAREERS.GENERALMILLS.COM General Mills is an Equal Opportunity Employer

401K Match

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Participating Pilots

O

ver the years, the number of pilots who have flown at the Balloon Fiesta numbers in the thousands. There are too many to list here, but we have created a list on the Balloon Fiesta website. Scan the QR code to see the list.

Our thanks to these dedicated men and women, and to their chase crews, for bringing so much joy to our Balloon Fiesta guests throughout our 50 year history!

104

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Net zero greenhouse gas emissions in New Mexico by 2030 delivers a brighter energy future.

ExxonMobil is honored to be the Presenting Sponsor of the Golden Anniversary of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, taking our support of this world-renowned tradition to new heights.

As a leading energy producer in New Mexico, we are focused on responsibly developing the state’s resources and doing our part to help realize New Mexicans’ aspirations for a prosperous and sustainable future. This includes our aim to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions for our unconventional operations in the state by 2030.

Follow us to learn more about what we’re doing today for a brighter energy future tomorrow.

ExxonMobilNewMexico

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Additional Pilots Albers, Austin MISS ARKANSAS Ponca, AR United States

Caton, Roy TIME TRAVELER Cedar Hill, MO United States

Goade, Mike LADY JESTER Albuquerque, NM United States

Karlovec, Frank PATIENCE Scottsdale, AZ United States

Moncrief, Robert VACATION Rio Rancho, NM United States

Röhrs, Hanna ALFRED THE CARPENDER Bamberg, Bavaria Germany

Suttle, Penny SUNNY SIDE UP Strasburg, OH United States

Andre, Marc G-DADDY Spiegel Switzerland

Cave, Daniel HAM-LET Anthony, NM United States

Gonzales, Autumn THE JOURNEY Rio Rancho, NM United States

Kehoe, Glo 5 O CLOCK Albuquerque, NM United States

Monge, Leo DRAGONFLIES Lectoure France

Rose, Kirke TAMO Phoenix, AZ United States

Suttle Jr., Paul WASTING TIME Strasburg, OH United States

Ashida-Schwisow, Jamie 2ND WIND Los Ranchos, NM United States

Chase, Dawn TOO BODACIOUS Nicholson, PA United States

Griffin, Dan SAPPHIRE Fort Collins, CO United States

Kinser, Bill SPIRIT’S RAINBOW Edmond, OK United States

Morgan, James CALYPSO Amarillo, TX United States

Runge, Dave SPIRIT’S RAINBOW Grand Prairie, TX United States

Taylor, Brian DEJA BLUE Columbia, MO United States

Backes, Dan PONDEMONIUM Florence, AZ United States

Christophersen, Andy PSYCHO THERAPY Albuquerque, NM United States

Griffith, Justin BUCKEYE Albuquerque, NM United States

Knuth, Dee SOMETHING CAME UP Crestwood, KY United States

Myklebust, Randy EMPTY NEST Rio Rancho, NM United States

Sabia, Amanda WONDER BREAD Overland Park, KS United States

Tollefson, Tom DAKOTA STAR Detroit Lakes, MN United States

Bacon, Robert SUN FLYER Albuquerque, NM United States

Conant, John VOLCANIC MOTION Albuquerque, NM United States

Hallett, Chloe GRANDMA’S LEGACY Saffron Walden, Essex United Kingdom

Kominiak, Scott SPECTRUM Corrales, Nm United States

Newlin, Pat MORNING MANNA Riverton, WY United States

Sasser, Kelly BLUE SPIRIT Phenix City, AL United States

Trione, John GOT THE HOTZ Lake Geneva, WI United States

Bailey, Seth MASTER ZABA Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada

Cowlishaw, Brenda PIX Bulverde, TX United States

Harrison, Stephen ALCHEMY Murray, Ut United States

Lindsey, Susan FLOATING AWAYSIS Safford, AZ United States

Nichols, Steven THE FOX Ash, Aldershot United Kingdom

Saxton, Scott RACHELS ASCENTION Newtown, PA United States

Vesely, Kim TOO GRATEFUL Rio Rancho, NM United States

Bair, Erin BAIRLY AWAKE Pittsburgh, PA United States

Cuneo, Peter SANDIA SUNRISE II Albuquerque, NM United States

Heinrich, Philip PATIENCE Phoenix, AZ United States

Loeffler, Steven DAWN’S DELIGHT Albuquerque, NM United States

Nusz, Hannah ORSO Bayfield, CO United States

Schettler, John BANK ON IT St Louis, MO United States

Watkins, Heather STARS AND STRIPES Washington, UT United States

Beck, Mike WILDFIRE Omro, WI United States

Deeney, Marian SCHMEDLY Monticello, FL United States

Hernandez, Duncan MAVERICK Albuquerque, NM United States

Lowenstein, Ryan SUNSET RISE Fairfield, CA United States

Oneill, Michael TWIST OF FATE Fort morgan, CO United States

Seghers, Stijn AIRE MARC TOO Lippelo, Antwerpen Belgium

Watts, Rodney TENACITY Hot Springs, SD United States

Bolton, Ken DOUBLE TROUBLE Carlisle, IA United States

DeSantis, Rebecca BOUNCE Albuquerque, NM United States

Hiben, Eric WANDERER LaGrange, GA United States

Lupton, Sally LADY JESTER Albuquerque, NM United States

Phillips, Richard FREDDIE THE FOX Andover, Hampshire United Kingdom

Shelhav, Shai EDDIE & RICKENBACKER Albuquerque, NM United States

Wilson, Dale CYNTHIA SEAL Augusta, MI United States

Book, Wally SKY CHARIOT Albuquerque, NM United States

Dickey, Carol DIAMOND GIRL Corrales, NM United States

Hyde, Daniel PLUM FANCY Albuquerque, NM United States

Magee, Kim HIGHER EDUCATION Swisher, IA United States

Reeder, Kylee DESERT DRIFTER Smartsville, CA United States

Sherrill, Nate BEST Fulshear, TX United States

Woodward, Jay LILLY LITTLE BEE Snohomish, WA United States

Bradshaw, Sam LEVITY Albuquerque, NM United States

Duncan, Brian PIX Spring, TX United States

James, Russell WANDERER Orland, CA United States

May, Rod PEPPERMINT DREAM TOO Albuquerque, NM United States

Rees, Jennifer 5 O’CLOCK HIGH Hurdle Mills, NC United States

Smart, Rex FREEDOM FLYER Albuquerque, NM United States

Word, Truman TOUCH OF MAGIC El Paso, TX United States

Byer, Ryan 1DOWN8-2GO Albuquerque, NM United States

Fox, Donna LIBERTY Augusta, MI United States

Johnson, Meridian WASTING TIME Los Alamos NM, United States

Mezey, Rob STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN Duluth, GA United States

Reineke, Kathy SUNSATIONAL Mahomet, Il United States

Snyder, Rob HELIOS Austin, TX United States

Yob, Dave TOMFOOLERY Colorado Springs, CO United States

Byrd-Dickey, Niki 2ND WIND Albuquerque, NM United States

Frame, Jake FRACTALS Elverson, PA United States

Johnson, Rick HAM-LET Bel Air, MD United States

Midura, Tim NORTHERN LIGHTS Marshallville, OH United States

Richardson, Molly RED WHITE AND POOH Brandon, SD United States

Speicher, Lillian TEXAS MAGIC Longview, TX United States

Camacho, Ricardo TOY CAR Sao Paulo Brazil

Gallegos, Frank PIXIE SPIRIT Los Lunas, NM United States

Jones, Chris PRINCESS NELLY Billings, MT United States

Miller, Mark SPRIRIT OF ‘76 Washington, DC United States

Richardson, Sean CAROLINA TWIST Kannapolis, NC United States

Sumrell, Mike RISING STARS Lawrenceville, GA United States

Capps, Danita DEJA POOH Centennial, CO United States

Gingerich, Joseph RED, WHITE & POOH PLAIN CITY, OH United States

Kalousdian, Christian THE FLYING BUS Lübeck,Schleswig-Holstein Germany

Miller, Michael BOLT Grafton, OH United States

Rieger, Ginny MORNING MANNA Sheridan, WY United States

Susko, Anne MOONSHADOW Milford, IA United States

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

The “International” in Balloon Fiesta

F

rom its earliest days, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has been the crossroads of world ballooning, an event where teams from across the planet get together to respectfully compete, reunite with old friends and make new ones, and share in the fellowship of the sport. They are joined by the many guests from around the world that come to Albuquerque every year to experience for themselves the magic of Balloon Fiesta.

The Balloon Fiesta’s international character was established almost from the beginning. Two of the first four Balloon Fiestas included the World Hot Air Ballooning Championships, where 38 of the world’s top pilots tackled difficult competitive tasks in pursuit of the title. Although Americans won both events – Denny Floden (Cap’t. Phogg) in 1973 and David Schaffer in 1975 – the international teams had a great time. When they went home, they told their friends how much fun flying in Albuquerque was.

Countries Participating in the Balloon Fiesta since 1972: Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil ,Canada, Catalonia, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Crimea, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States of America

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PHOTO: SCOTT HUGHES

Above: Balloon team from India.

Today, balloonist bucket lists worldwide include a trip to Albuquerque and the Balloon Fiesta. Some international pilots come regularly to experience flying the Albuquerque Box, see the sights, and rediscover red and green chile. The Balloon Fiesta honors its international participants with a social event and with the Flight of the Nations, where the international teams fly their nations' flags from their balloons as they launch. Some of the world’s top gas balloon competition

teams make the pilgrimage to Albuquerque to fly in the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race, dreaming of long flights and achieving record-setting distances.

At an increasingly fractured time, international friendship and cooperation are perhaps more important than ever. Maybe, in its own small way, the Balloon Fiesta’s international character can contribute to building bridges among nations and understanding among balloonists worldwide.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

International Pilots Alford, Ben ADELAIDE THE KOALA Bristol United Kingdom

De Assis, Luiz CORK São Paulo Brazil

Hooper, Lee ALIEN Radstock, Somerset United Kingdom

Moore, Ashley WES THE WOLF Bideford, Devon United Kingdom

Siebel, Thomas OLAF Freudenberg, NRW Germany

Andre, Marc G-DADDY Spiegel Switzerland

Drganc, Luka JACK FM Belmont, Ontario Canada

Hora, Tomas G-DADDY Praha Czech Republic

Müller, Roman SWISS CHALET Härkingen, Solothurn Switzerland

Skocdopole, Cliff NORTHERN FLIGHTS Condor, Alberta Canada

Ary, George STEGGY Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Brazil

Duval-Harbour, Jesse ST.-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU FIESTA St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Kalousdian, Christian THE FLYING BUS Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein Germany

Nichols, Steven FREDDIE THE FOX Ash, Aldershot United Kingdom

Strauf, Marcus WERA SCREW DRIVER Waldbröl, NRW Germany

Audenaert, Filip HUG A BEAR Waasmunster Belgium

Dyer, JD FLYING FOR HEROES Ammanford, Carmarthenshire United Kingdom

Kalousdian, Rubens FLYING BUS São Paulo Brazil

Oggioni, Paolo MONDOVI Mondovì, CN Italy

Taveira, Valdemir LITTLE DOG Osasco, São Paulo Brazil

Bailey, Seth MASTER ZABA Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada

Farrell, Craig TIGER Palmerston, ACT Australia

Kostiuskevicius, Rokas MARIJAMPOLE Marijampole Lithuania

O’Neill, Mark CHYM FM Belmont, Ontario Canada

Thomas, Steve PANTHER Bath, Somerset United Kingdom

Baker, Dave SCARLETT Thatcham, Berkshire United Kingdom

Ferland, Jean-Francois TICO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Kubicek, Petr KUBICEK DEMO K Brno Czech Republic

Orchard, Tim BUGS BUNNY Aylesbury, Bucks United Kingdom

Toledo, Paulo ROBOT WOOZI Guarujá, São Paulo Brazil

Barends, Alex MISTER GLOBIE Enschede, Overijssel Netherlands

Francoeur, Danielle PIXEL Montreal, Québec Canada

Lambert, Benoit MASTER YODA BALLOON Court-St.-Etienne Belgium

Ouellette Freve, Johann Francois KIRMIZI Longueuil, Quebec Canada

Tremblay, Sylvain PIKO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Bonimcontro, Marcos FLYING SAUCER São Paulo Brazil

Francois, Jean-Michel DRAGONFLY Salles Courbaties, Québec Canada

Lang, Dale JELLY BEAN Taber, Alberta Canada

Peirsman, Geert ALBERT THE GNOME Belsele Belgium

Vaillancourt, Richard DOCO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Burman, Leo MONARCHS Montreal, Québec Canada

Garcia-Perrote, Juan CITI RADIO Belmont, Ontario Canada

Lawton, Jeff FREDDIE THE FOX Godalming, Surrey United Kingdom

Pereira Gonçalves, Murilo A BRUXA Sombrio, Santa Catarina Brazil

Vaillanourt, Jacob CLOUDSURFER Trois Rivieres, Québec Canada

Burrows, Paul BUSTER THE BULLDOG Bristol United Kingdom

George, Peter GRAND BRITANNIA Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom

Lin, Martin BRAVO BEAR Luye Township, Taitung County Taiwan (Republic of China)

Phillips, Richard FREDDIE THE FOX Andover, Hampshire United Kingdom

Van Hooft, Frans MIA Schijndel, North Brabant Netherlands

Camacho, Ricardo TOY CAR Sao Paulo Brazil

Gleed, David PEGASUS Coldstream, British Columbia Canada

Lips, Arne LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN West-Vlaanderen Belgium

Ritchie, Dale AIRABELLE,THE CREAMLAND COW Golden, British Columbia Canada

Van Overwalle, Peter PRINCESS NELLY Nazareth Belgium

Cižius, Jastin PILKIUS ElektrEnai, Vilnius Lithuania

Haarhuis, Sanne DUTCH DIRECT Breda, North Brabant Netherlands

Llado-Costa, Josep TRAMUNTANA Igualada, Catalonia Spain

Roehrs, Hinnerk ALFRED THE CARPENDER Celle Germany

Van Wolvelaer, Geert BOBO THE HAPPY LOBSTER Urgup, Nevsehir Turkey

Clark, Richard OUR TREAT Calgary, Alberta Canada

Hallett, Chloe GRANDMA’S LEGACY Saffron Walden, Essex United Kingdom

Lopes, Fabio TEDDY AND LINDY Tôrres Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Röhrs, Hanna ALFRED THE CARPENDER Bamberg, Bavaria Germany

Viens, Helene HELENA SUNSET Magog, Québec Canada

Cooper, Hal UPTUIT Port Hope, Ontario Canada

Held, Adrian CUPID’S HEART Lachen Switzerland

Macedo, Warley MANDRILL São Paulo Brazil

Schultz, Marvin SUNDANCE BALLOONS Belmont Ontario, Canada

Viner, John MASTER ZABA North Muskham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom

Czerniawski, Jerzy AVIPOL Bialystok, Podlaskie Poland

Hoefer, Rudolf FOX Michelbach Germany

Miklousic, Igor CELEBRATION OF FLOWERS Zagreb Croatia

Seghers, Jos SKY STAR Breendonk Belgium

White, Malcolm HEARTS A’ FIRE Trim, Meath Ireland

Davidson, John CHEZ RADIO Belmont, Ontario Canada

Hoefler, Greg CAPRICE DU CIEL Chaillon, LORRAINE France

Mitchell, Mark SUNDANCE BALLOONS Belmont, Ontario Canada

Seghers, Stijn AIRE MARC TOO Lippelo, Antwerpen Belgium

De Almeida, Ricardo TOY CAR Boituva, São Paulo Brazil

Holly, Andrew TALL STEVE Gloucestershire United Kingdom

Monge, Leo DRAGONFLY Lectoure France

Sevrin, Sidney BELZEBUTH Villers-la-Ville Belgium

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cheers to 50 years!

®

OFFICIAL IMPORT BEER PARTER ENJOY XX® RESPONSIBLY. ©2022 DOS EQUIS® XX SPECIAL LAGER. DOS EQUIS® XX AMBAR BEER. IMPORTED BY CERVEZAS MEXICANAS, WHITE PLAINS, NY.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

The Women

of Balloon Fiesta

By Charlotte Kinney and Kim Vesely, for the AIBF Heritage Committee

S

Clara (Jenny) Van Tassel thrilled spectators with feats ince the beginning of Balloon Fiesta there of stratospheric skill. Female balloonist/scientists were have been hundreds of women, mostly also at the forefront of atmospheric research in the 20th behind the scenes, who have helped ensure Century: Jeanette Piccard’s high altitude flights set a successful and memorable event. Two of records that lasted for decades; and inventor, adventurer, the first three Presidents of Albuquerque and kinetic artist Vera Simons commanded teams of International Balloon Fiesta®, Inc., the nonmen while conducting research. In profit corporation that runs the the latter half of the last century event, were both women: Betty and the first decades of the current Perkins and Sheri Bachtell one, a new generation of female Moore. The first two Executive pilots continue to achieve “firsts” Directors, Linda Rutherford and break boundaries of their own. and Marge Ruppenthal, were Many of these – Nikki Caplan, female, as was Pat Brake, Carol Rymer Davis, Jetta Schantz, the first staff Event Director. to mention just a few – have flown There have been five female in the Balloon Fiesta. balloonmeisters (the lead Men piloted the earliest balloon official in charge of flight flights in New Mexico, beginning operations): Pat Brake, Neida with Park Van Tassel’s flight from Courtney, Neida Courtneydowntown Albuquerque in 1883 Bueno, Charlotte Kinney, and the exploits of Stamm and and Cheryl Lété (now Frost).

Blondin in the first decade of the Except for Betty Perkins, all of 1900s. After their last gas balloon these women are themselves flight in 1909, ballooning didn’t balloon pilots and flew – as return to the state until the late have hundreds of other women, Above: Scientist-artist-aeronaut Vera Simons and her crew.

1960s, and to Albuquerque until including the authors of this Sid Cutter acquired his balloon in article – in the Balloon Fiesta.

1971. After that, it didn’t take long for the ladies – many While ballooning has always been a male-dominated of them the spouses of male balloonists – to figure out sport, both internationally and in Albuquerque, female aeronauts have always captured the public’s imagination. that women are just as capable of flying balloons as men: the wind and weather don’t care what gender you are.

The first woman took flight less than a year after the It is believed that pioneering New Mexico aviatrix first men, and brave women such as Jeanne-Genevieve Virginia Cutter, Sid and Bill Cutter's mom, held the first Labrosse Garnerin, Sophie Blanchard, and (in America)

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PHOTO: SCOTT HUGHES

Above: Taken in 1977 at the Ponderosa Studios in Nevada during the National Balloon Rally, shows some of ballooning’s “first ladies”: Top row: Janice Hebrlee, Sandy McDonald, Lori McLain, Connie March, Charlotte Kinney. Second row: Ruth McLain, Sally Vale. Third row: Sandy Brannam, Nikki Caplan, and Marge Ruppenthal.

balloon rating in New Mexico. But the first truly active female balloonists in the state, according to Balloon Fiesta historian Tom McConnell’s research, were Loretto Black (wife of car dealer Ed Black), Joan Florance, and Bev Grady, who were licensed in early 1973. They were soon followed by the rest of the first generation of women balloon pilots in Albuquerque, who include (but are not limited to) Jonell Shepherd, Paula O’Brien Dougherty, Jane Martindale, Carol Rymer Davis, Pat Barz, Marge Ruppenthal, Linda Rutherford, Judy Baron, Sue Hazlett, Trudy Farr, Emily Wenz, Suzi Schmidt, Neida L. (Mom) Courtney, Suzi Flynt, Sue Corlew, Sheri Bachtell Moore, Elaine Kramer Roderick, Charlotte Kinney, Sue

Ellen Shaffer Osika, Sally Chapel, Glenda Watson, Connie March, Gay Jensen-James, Phyllis McGuire, Judi Rice, and Gail Short.

In addition to flying in the Balloon Fiesta – almost all did – many of these women soon assumed leading roles in the budding Balloon Fiesta. After Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. assumed stewardship of the event in 1976, Sheri Bachtell (later Moore) became one of its first board presidents, succeeding the event’s first chairperson, Betty Perkins. Linda Rutherford was the first, and for a time the only, permanent employee and the event’s first Executive Director. When Linda retired from Balloon Fiesta, Marge Ruppenthal took over

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Clockwise from above: Joan Florance and Bev Grady, two of New Mexico’s first female balloonists; Carol Rymer Davis preparing for launch at the 2007 America’s Challenge; Pat Brake at the 2007 America’s Challenge pilot briefing.

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

PHOTO: BEV GRADY

America’s Challenge veterans – Barbara Fricke and Cheri White – have both finished in the Gordon Bennett top three.

On the business side of the Balloon Fiesta, women also lead or used to lead many operational departments: sponsorship (Jodi Baugh, Laurie Riedle, Stephanie Prendergast), hospitality (Jacqueline Hockey, Shamaine Giannini, and others), finance, media (Jean Jordan, Kathy Leyendecker), concessions (Ellie Mason, Erica Hahn, among others), merchandising (Lisa Mulder),

the job. Pat Brake, who got her balloon rating in the mid 1980s, became the event’s balloonmeister and later Event Director.

Pat for many years also was the event director of the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race, and served as the first female event director in the history of the world’s oldest aviation race, the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, when it was held in conjunction with the 2005 Balloon Fiesta. The Gordon Bennett came to Albuquerque because the year before, the U.S. team of Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer Davis won the race.

Carol, who began flying in Albuquerque in 1973, still at this writing is the only woman to ever win this prestigious event, though two other female Balloon Fiesta and

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RV management (Jennifer Schurman), and until very recently, field operation (Janie Jordan). Pilot coordinators/ operations managers, including Pam McCarty and Jennifer Garcia, are also part of the group. Hundreds of women are Navigators (volunteers) – many of them in flight operations capacities such as safety, launch, scoring, and propane -- and thousands more provide vital assistance to pilots as members of chase crews.

Others, as volunteers, members of the Board, and heads of committees filled vital roles, among them Evelyn Byrd, Ann Dickey, Betty Carroll, Karen Duff, Mary McConnell, Ms. Gene Buescher, Kathy Hart, Ann Hood, Gail Doyle, Carol Bair, Wanda Neely, Kim Vesely, Dee Ahern, and Lee Austurias, just to name a few.

Already, a new generation of women are taking to the skies and beginning to make their mark in ballooning.

Young, talented pilots like Savannah Bradley, Erin Bair, and Jamie Dickey, all daughters and granddaughters of Balloon Fiesta veterans, are carrying on a proud tradition of women making magic at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY

Official Bank of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

2022 Bank of the West | Member FDIC | NMLS #19116 | Equal Housing Lender.

THE 1980s: 1980-1989

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The

1980S I

n the annals of history, the 1980s may well be remembered as the great decade of technological transformation. Desktop computers (both Macs and PCs), video games (Pac-Man! Game Boys!), the first cell phones, the first CD players, new television networks including CNN, FOX, MTV, and (most significantly for balloonists) The Weather Channel -- all laid down roots for the digital age. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female Supreme Court justice, broke barriers for women. The eruption of Mt. St. Helens, the Chernobyl nuclear reactor explosion, and the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger reminded us of humans’ limitations, and the fall of the Berlin Wall of their limitless possibilities when freedom prevails.

The 1980s were also the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s® most transformative decade. Crowdpleasing new events – the Balloon Glow, Special Shape Rodeo, Dawn Patrol, and the first gas balloon races – expanded the Balloon Fiesta from a strictly sunrise spectacular into an all-day and into-the-evening event. Flying in the Balloon Fiesta became a bucket-list pilgrimage for balloonists worldwide. Except . . . many of them found that having had a taste of the magic in Albuquerque, they had to come back for seconds . . . and thirds . . . and fourths . . . and today, they’re still making the annual pilgrimage to ballooning’s town square.

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

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THE 1980s: 1980-1989

Change was in the air as the Balloon Fiesta began in 1980. Balloonists arrived to find the field rearranged, with concessions moved from the east to the west side of the field. On the east side – surprise! – a construction site! Building of the industrial park that now occupies the area northwest of Jefferson and I-25 was underway. The loss of space of course translated to a loss of launch sites and a slightly smaller Balloon Fiesta, with ‘just’ 312 balloons.

In 1980, the Navy Leapfrogs parachuted into the launch field in part due to the efforts of Ron Caldwell, the balloonmeister that year and a proud Navy guy. This began a tradition of non-balloon aerial entertainment that continues to this day: the Army Golden Knights, Misty Blues, and most recently Team Fastrax are among the groups that have thrilled Balloon Fiesta guests. Another tradition beginning that year is the involvement of the Kiwanis, whose volunteers have collected parking fees and directed traffic in Balloon Fiesta parking lots for four decades.

1980

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

The move to its next launch site – the expansive Cutter Field, between Osuna Rd. and Los Angeles Blvd. (now Paseo del Norte) east of Edith Rd. – opened up new possibilities for Balloon Fiesta.

Nearly 500 balloons participated in the 1981 event, and Sid Cutter, for one, was talking of someday hosting as

1981

many as 1,000 balloons. (It didn’t happen for another 19 years). The site offered the chance to thrill guests with additional events, including the wing-walking (notably by 1981 balloonmeister Paul Enz) and aerial acrobatics of Jim Franklin’s Wild Waco Air Show.

A fun run and radiocontrolled aircraft were among many other events added, the biggest of which was the Balloon Fiesta’s first gas balloon race. Unlike today’s America’s Challenge distance race, this race was about flying to a specific target downrange, much as in hot-air balloon competition. (See more about gas balloon events and traditions at Balloon Fiesta beginning on page 179.)

Women have always played an important role in the Balloon Fiesta; many of the Balloon Fiesta’s early leaders were female. And in 1982, Charlotte Kinney broke ground for women as the event’s first female balloonmeister, the official in charge of flight operations. (At the time, the Balloon Fiesta used the debatable term “balloonmeisterin” for its female balloonmeisters.) Charlotte had been flying balloons for several years before moving into the officials’ ranks, and was most likely one of the first women anywhere in the world to serve as balloonmeister of a major balloon rally. Charlotte’s assistant balloonmeister was also female, longtime Albuquerque pilot Neida Courtney, who served as balloonmeister in 1983; Charlotte and Neida were co-balloonmeisters in 1984. Meanwhile, the Balloon Fiesta’s activities continued to grow, with skydivers (the Army Golden Knights), gas balloon race, ultralites, air shows, and more.

1982

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In November of 1783, humans took flight for the first time, thanks to French pioneers who imagined and created the first hot air balloons (the brothers Jacques-Étienne and Joseph-Michel Montgolfier) and gas balloons (professor Jacques Alexandre César Charles). Up until the Wright Brothers developed the first powered aircraft, balloons and other lighter-thanair vehicles were the only form of air transportation.

Obviously, airplanes, which were not limited to going only where the wind goes, proved more practical and soon overtook the balloon as the preferred form of air travel. But balloons have always had a magic all their own, and with the invention of the propane-fired burner in the early 1960s (by early Balloon Fiesta balloonmeister Ed Yost), ballooning became a viable recreational option.

So in 1983, it was time to party, to celebrate aviation’s bicentennial, 200 years of manned flight.

And what better place to do it than the Balloon Capital of the World? That year, 450 hot air balloons and 15 gas balloons flew in the world’s biggest ballooning event, always with thoughts of those inventors, the Montgolfiers and Professor Charles, who made it all possible.

1983

As noted on our 1982 page, in 1984 the Balloon Fiesta had coballoonmeisters – former balloonmeisters Charlotte Kinney and Neida Courtney shared the job. This is the only time the event has ever had two people sharing these responsibilities.

The other major development that year was behind the scenes: the Balloon Fiesta purchased its first office building, on Washington Pl., close to Cutter Field.

At the time, the Balloon Fiesta’s “pilot headquarters” during the event was the old Holiday Inn Midtown on Menaul Blvd. Pilots registered and attended the required orientation briefing there (via videotape, an idea developed originally by former balloonmeister Mark Wilson for the 1981 Balloon Fiesta). After that first day, the “official headquarters hotel” became the social center of the Balloon Fiesta, with events almost every night. Meanwhile, the first Park and Ride service

1984

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

gave Balloon Fiesta guests a new and convenient way to beat the traffic and get to Cutter Field in comfort on weekend days.

1985

By 1985, the Balloon Fiesta’s last year at Cutter Field (today it’s the Vista del Norte housing development), the event had fallen into a nice rhythm, with 466 balloons, 10 gas balloons racing to targets, parachute demonstrations, air shows, high school bands performing in the mornings, and a new innovation, Balloon Mail.

This offered guests the opportunity to mail (to themselves or a friend) a letter that had been actually flown in a balloon at Balloon Fiesta. At the event’s on-field “post office”, guests would buy an envelope and insert the letter. Pilots took bags of mail aloft and signed the envelopes after landing. Then the on-field post office would stamp the mail with a special cancellation and mail it.

This service continued for several years.

But change was coming, and Balloon Fiesta was about to enter a new and exciting era that shaped the event essentially as we know it today.

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For its 15th birthday, the Balloon Fiesta got a big birthday present – its fifth new launch site. This field, known as Balloon Fiesta Park, was a former city landfill, and it was as compact (just 77 acres for everything, including parking) as Cutter Field was expansive. In fact, some areas, such as propane refueling, were moved offsite altogether. Read more about both fields in the article on page 126.

1986 featured another first: the first (and so far, only!) Balloon Fiesta snow day. On the last day of the event, pilots and officials woke up to funny looking white flakes falling out of the sky, and it wasn’t dandruff. It didn’t take long for Balloon Fiesta officials to make the decision to cancel and tell everyone to stay home. The heavy wet snow did a lot of damage to trees around town, and instead of flying, some balloonists spent the day cleaning up broken tree limbs.

1986

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Once upon a time, the Balloon Fiesta was exclusively an early morning event. That all changed in 1987, with the event’s first Balloon Glow. Nighttime balloon displays were nothing new in in Albuquerque – they’d been held on Christmas Eve since 1979 – but had never been part of the Balloon Fiesta.

Scott Appelman came up with the idea of doing a balloon glow at the Balloon Fiesta to celebrate the 75th anniversary of New Mexico statehood – and the rest, as they say, is history. It was such a hit that today, there are three Balloon Fiesta balloon glows, plus two more featuring exclusively special shape balloons. The

1987

1988

By 1988, the Balloon Fiesta had grown to 600 balloons, including an increasing number of special shapes.

These balloons – including The G-R-R-E-A-T Tony and Earforce One (better known as Mickey Mouse) – were crowd-pleasers every bit as popular as the Bees and Darth Vadar are today, with crowds packed onto their launch sites. The event now also featured an all-female skydiving team, the Misty Blues, which jumped on alternate weekends from the Army Golden Knights.

It was obvious the Balloon Glow, started the previous year, was there to stay. People loved the option of a nighttime event. But one event, the gas balloon race, was headed for hiatus. Only one gas balloon “competed” in 1988, and was promptly awarded third place (much to the annoyance of pilot George Hahn.)

When gas ballooning returned to the Balloon Fiesta, it would be in a much different form – and it would be there to stay.

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evening events now often attract more guests to Balloon Fiesta Park than the famed morning mass ascensions and extend the color and magic of ballooning into the night. And it’s not just Albuquerque.

Balloon Glows are now part of almost every balloon event in the world.

What’s the story behind the invention of the Balloon Glow? Well, it involved a not entirely sober night at a northern New Mexico resort, and the creativity of balloonists around the country who enhanced the concept. Learn more from the 1987, 1988, 1996, and 2009 Balloon Fiesta programs in the Collectors Corner on the Balloon Fiesta website, balloonfiesta.com.

1989

The Balloon Fiesta became a true, all-day event in 1989 with the inauguration of the Special Shape Rodeo. This event at first was a late afternoon flying event, and it was – as expected, given the popularity of the special shape balloons appearing in the mass ascensions – a huge success. Families loved it. You can learn a lot more about the beginnings of the Special Shape Rodeo in Mark Sullivan’s article beginning on page 140.

Just about anything anyone can dream of – monsters, critters, soda cans, houses, autos – can be made into a special shape balloon. These days they’re designed on computers, but they still have to be sewn together the old-fashioned way, by hand. They take hundreds of hours of labor to make in specialized

businesses in Brazil, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Britain, and the U.S. The end of the 1980s also brought a management change to Balloon Fiesta. Marge Ruppenthal, longtime Balloon Fiesta pilot from a ballooning family (husband Bob was an early balloonmeister and a former Board President) became the organization’s new Executive Director, and would usher in major changes over the next several years.

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CELEBRATIBG 50 YEARS

FIELDS OF

BY KIM VESELY, FOR THE AIBF HERITAGE COMMITTEE

PHOTO: VICTOR BANTA

Through the first half of its 50-year history, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® led a nomadic existence, steadily migrating northward through five launch sites in step with the city’s steady development. Each of the Balloon Fiesta’s launch sites had its own personality and each played a distinct role in the event’s history.

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COLOR BALLOON FIESTA LAUNCH SITES 1. Coronado Center: 1972 2. NM State Fairgrounds: 1973-1974 3. Simms Field: 1975-1980 4. Cutter Field: 1981-1985 5. Original Balloon Fiesta Park: 1986-1995 6. Balloon Fiesta Park: 1996-present

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PHOTO BY TOM MCCONNELL

PHOTO BY DICK BROWN

The First World Hot Air Balloon Championships and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds

The “First Fiesta” at Coronado Center In just 10 days, Sid Cutter and KOB organized what was then one of the largest gatherings of balloons anywhere in the world. Thirteen balloons launched from a huge open field west of Coronado Center, which was much smaller at that time than it is today. The estimated 20,000 people who turned up were openmouthed at what they were seeing. The balloonists – hastily assembled from around the US – were equally astonished at the warm reception they received. Their enthusiasm led to invitations to bid for and to host a much larger event, the First World Hot Air Balloon Championships.

WHAT: KOB Radio and Television International Balloon Festival and Rally (KOB Radio 50th anniversary celebration) WHERE: San Pedro and Menaul NE, west of Coronado Center WHEN: April 8, 1972 NUMBER OF BALLOONS: 13 WHY IT HAD TO MOVE: Not big enough, no permanent facilities, destined for development WHAT’S THERE NOW: West end of Coronado Center and parking lot

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When 38 international competitors and 90 “Fiesta Flyers” descended on Albuquerque for the first World Championships – the modern hot air balloon had been invented only a decade or so before – the State Fairgrounds seemed like an ideal location for the event. It had grandstand seating for guests (spectators were not allowed on the field), food service facilities, and above all, restrooms! But for flying, the fairgrounds proved to be less than ideal. It was in an established area of the city, and landing sites were relatively scarce. When the balloons flew south, as they frequently did, they quickly encroached on the Albuquerque International Sunport and on Kirtland Air Force Base and the highly classified research facilities attached to the base. (There are great stories about gun-toting security officers confronting pilots who spoke limited English.) February proved to be a less than ideal weather month. Within a couple of years, event organizers realized they needed both a new event date and a new launch site.

WHAT: First World Hot Air Balloon Championships; 2nd and 3rd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta WHERE: New Mexico State Fairgrounds/ Downs of Albuquerque, Louisiana and Lomas NE WHEN: February 1973-1974 and a February rally in 1975 NUMBER OF BALLOONS: As many as 128 NEW EVENTS: World-class competition events, mass ascensions; the Balloon Fiesta Parade (held through 1991) became the biggest in the state WHY IT HAD TO MOVE: Too close to the airport and too far south, proximity to high-security installations at Kirtland AFB and Sandia and Manzano bases, lack of landing sites, February not a good month for ballooning; site in use for New Mexico State Fair in the late summer and fall WHAT’S THERE NOW: Downs of Albuquerque and EXPO New Mexico

PHOTO BY BILL WALTON FLYNT

Simms Field and the Second World Hot Air Balloon Championships at Jefferson and I-25 1975 brought big changes to the fledgling Balloon Fiesta. A meteorological study determined that the weather was consistently best for ballooning in the early fall and the Balloon Fiesta moved to its current time, the first full week in October. Sid Cutter, who had organized the first three Balloon Fiestas, needed to focus on his own business and a new non-profit corporation, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. assumed stewardship of the event. The event’s new home, Simms Field (named after the landowning family) was a large former alfalfa field just west of I-25 at Jefferson Blvd.

Since it had no permanent facilities, concession tents, porta potties, and other amenities had to be brought in, but the land had ample room for parking, a propane refueling facility, and above all, balloons. Pilots loved the site and the then-open land around it. By 1980 the event had almost tripled in size, but buildings were under construction on the east end of Simms Field and it was clear the Balloon Fiesta would be on the move again.

WHAT: 4th – 9th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta; Second World Hot Air Balloon Championships WHERE: Simms Field, west of I-25 and Jefferson Blvd. NE WHEN: October 1975 - October 1980 NUMBER OF BALLOONS: As many as 379 NEW EVENTS: A variety of competitions including the Key Grab (now Ring Toss) and the Tumbleweed Drop; the first (then unofficial) Dawn Patrol flights; the record flights of the Double Eagle II and Kitty Hawk capture the world’s imagination WHY IT HAD TO MOVE: When buildings started going up on the launch squares on the east side of the field, it was obvious that Simms Field’s days as a balloon launch site were numbered WHAT’S THERE NOW: A large business park and industrial area: one of the streets is named Balloon Park Rd. This street, and a couple of the original trees, are the only signs of the area’s past as home to the world’s biggest ballooning event.

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PHOTO BY BILL WALTON FLYNT

Cutter International Balloonport East of Edith Rd. between Los Angeles Blvd. (now Paseo del Norte) and Osuna Rd. Not long after the 1980 Balloon Fiesta, from a balloon, tethered a few dozen feet aloft, Sid Cutter dedicated the Balloon Fiesta’s newest launch field by breaking a bottle of champagne on the raised bucket of a backhoe.

Cutter Field – more formally, the Cutter International Balloonport – was located north of Osuna Rd. between Edith Blvd. and the North Diversion Channel. It boasted separate entrances and parking for the public and participants, the Balloon Fiesta’s first high-capacity propane refueling area, and enough space that Sid talked of hosting 1,000 balloons. While that didn’t come to fruition during the Balloon Fiesta’s years at Cutter Field, other enhancements did, including the event’s first gas balloon competitions and the regular inclusion of aerial acrobatics (notably the Jim Franklin Wild Waco Air Show), and precision parachute demonstrations featuring the Army Golden Knights and Navy Leapfrogs.

The Balloon Fiesta stayed at Cutter Field through 1985.

Its next relocation would move the event permanently off private lands and onto City of Albuquerqueowned property.

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WHAT: 10th – 14th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta WHERE: Cutter International Balloonport, north of Osuna Rd. WHEN: October 1981 - October 1985 NUMBER OF BALLOONS: 450-500 NEW EVENTS: Gas Balloon competition (long distance flights to set targets), aerial acrobatics and parachute team jumping, first Balloon Fiesta Park and Ride service, the celebration in 1983 of the bicentennial of manned flight (200 years since the Montgolfier brothers’ invention of the hot air balloon in 1783).

WHY IT HAD TO MOVE: Incoming development; availability of the former Los Angeles landfill for use as a launch site WHAT’S THERE NOW: The Vista del Norte housing subdivision and the Vista del Norte Park designated balloon landing area. The park/landing site is actually in an area then used for spectator parking, slightly south of the area used for the launch field.

PHOTO BY KIM VESLEY

First Balloon Fiesta Park South of Alameda Blvd. and north of Osuna Rd., east of the North Diversion Channel

WHAT: 15th – 24th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta WHERE: First Balloon Fiesta Park, south of Alameda Rd. and east of the North Diversion Channel WHEN: October 1986 - October 1995 NUMBER OF BALLOONS: 477-600 NEW EVENTS: Balloon Glow, Special Shape Rodeo and Glowdeo, Dawn Patrol, America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race, Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett (1993) WHY IT HAD TO MOVE: No room for expansion, unsuitable for permanent development WHAT’S THERE NOW: Vacant most of the year, South RV Parking during Balloon Fiesta

The Balloon Fiesta’s first long-term, semi-permanent home became available with the closing of the City of Albuquerque’s Los Angeles Landfill (named for the main street to the south which is now Paseo del Norte).

The event was held there for ten of its most inventive years which included the addition of evening Balloon Glows, the Special Shape Rodeo, and the first officiallysanctioned Dawn Patrol flights. This field also played host to the first Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett (world distance gas ballooning championship) held in the U.S. since 1933, and the first America’s Challenge gas balloon distance race. But while the original Balloon Fiesta Park made history, as a balloonport it had shortcomings. The launch site, permanent parking, and infrastructure were crammed into just 77 acres – about the size of the grassed area of the current field – with no room for expansion. Though the field worked for Balloon Fiesta operations, its past as a landfill made permanent development impractical. The first Balloon Fiesta Park was an important step forward and a great interim solution, but not a suitable permanent home for a worldclass event.

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PHOTO BY BENNIE BOS

Balloon Fiesta Park North of Alameda Blvd. and east of the North Diversion Channel It seems hard to believe that the Balloon Fiesta has now been held in this former gravel pit in far north Albuquerque for the past quarter-century. After much negotiating and a lot of hard work, the City of Albuququerque acquired the property for use as a city park; the Balloon Fiesta has exclusive use of the park during September and October of each year. The other 10 months, the park is used for a golf driving range, sports events, community concerts and celebrations, and of course as a balloon launch and landing site.

While some new events have been added, including the Flight of the Nations, additional Balloon Glows, enhanced fireworks displays, Albuquerque Aloft, and Music Fiesta, much of the focus has been on adding permanent amenities for guest comfort and safety and to improve the safety of flight operations. A golf center and restaurant on the property are used for event hospitality during the Balloon Fiesta. Two other permanent buildings – a public safety/first aid center and the Sid Cutter Pilots' Pavilion, used as pilot headquarters and as a community center, are now on site. The field is now fully grassed – much appreciated by both pilots and guests – and the adjacent Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum provides additional amenities for guests. Guests can

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now enjoy VIP experiences through the Gondola Club and Chasers' Club, and balloon enthusiasts worldwide can now view live event broadcasts through Balloon Fiesta Live!

As the Balloon Fiesta moves into its next half-century, our adventure is just beginning. Come join us!

WHAT: 25th -50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta WHERE: Balloon Fiesta Park, north of Alameda Rd. and east of the North Diversion Channel WHEN: October 1996-present NUMBER OF BALLOONS: 500 – 1,000+ balloons (in 2000) NEW EVENTS/AMENITIES: Fully grassed launch site, Dawn Patrol Show (1996), additional Balloon Glows, Albuquerque Aloft, Gordon Bennett held here in 1999, 2005, and 2008, Flight of the Nations, Sid Cutter Pilots' Pavilion and other permanent facilities, Gondola Club, Music Fiesta, Balloon Fiesta Live!, more to come!

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS PHOTO: BENNIE BOSS

Ballooning: A Spectator Sport Reprinted from the 1973 Balloon Fiesta program

F

lying in a balloon may be easier than watching one.

At Indianapolis you can sit still and the cars come round every couple of minutes or so.

Even an Olympic marathon runner knows where the finish line is going to be, 26 miles 385 yards later.

But balloons? Where they will wind up is anyone’s guess. And for once a handicapper knows as much as the rider, because the guy flying the balloon has no idea either.

Balloons will only go one way and that is the way the wind is blowing. Trouble is, the wind at ground level may be blowing exactly the opposite direction from the wind at 2,000 feet.

This is the one sport where the contestant sits still and the spectators do all the running.

Accessories for watching a balloon race should include

a strong pair of shoes (and an extra pair of dry ones), binoculars, a co-driver in the car to keep an eye on the target, and a picnic lunch.

Veteran balloon race watchers also file away many mental tips. They know, for instance, that when the balloons take off after an hour or so’s preparation from the field or a shopping center parking lot, they are followed by a massive traffic jam as spectators rush to follow.

Another thing about balloon races is that many are scheduled for the early morning for favorable wind conditions. Starts at 7 a.m. are not unusual.

One of the good things about balloon races, however, is that everybody gets a great view without having to jostle for position.

In fact, ballooning as a spectator sport is definitely “looking up.”

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

HOW A HOT AIR BALLOON

WORKS

By Kim Vesely

Adapted from the 2007 Balloon Fiesta program

F

lying a balloon is both science and art, simple and complex. Mechanically, it is simple: burn to go up, do nothing or vent to come down. The challenge lies in controlling a flying machine that stands the height of a sevenstory building in a way that uses the winds to best advantage. Flying a balloon takes practice, skill, and judgment, and a desire to share the fun and adventure of riding the winds aloft.

The most visible part of a hot air balloon is the envelope – the huge, colorful fabric “bag” holding the hot air that gives the balloon lift. The envelope is made of strong, non-porous, lightweight material such as ripstop nylon, Dacron, or Soar Coat reinforced by load tapes or cords – strong white or colored webbing or rope that provide the structural framework and give the envelope its shape.

At the top of the balloon is a large round circular opening through which hot air can be “vented”, or released, to cause the balloon to descend and to deflate it when the flight is completed. The opening is covered by a fabric panel, often called a “parachute”, which is held in place against the load tapes converging at the top of the balloon by the pressure of the hot air.

The basket or gondola carries the passengers, fuel tanks, and instruments the pilot uses in flight to monitor altitude, the rate at which the balloon is climbing or descending, and the temperature at the top of the balloon. Modern baskets are almost all primarily made of wicker, though aluminum, fiberglass, various plastics and composite materials have all been used.

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Above: This photo shows the “scoop” – the red panel at the top of the picture – and the balloon burners. The preheat coils are at the top of the burners, and the pilot (and author) has her hand on the blast valve that lets propane flow through the burner to generate hot air.

Parachute top covering circular opening

Envelope

Equator (widest point)

Load Tapes

Throat

Scoop/skirt

Suspension Cables The basket is connected to the envelope by cables that extend from the bottom, or “throat” of the balloon. Most hot-air balloons also have a skirt or scoop – a fabric panel often made of or lined with fire-resistant fabric that extends downward from the throat and helps to direct airflow and heat from the burner into the envelope.

The hot air that provides lift is generated by a propanefueled burner which is suspended between the envelope and basket above the heads of the pilot and passengers.

The burner is held in place by a rigid frame and by “uprights” – poles at each corner of the basket. The fuel tanks – most modern tanks are made of stainless steel – sit in the corners or on the floor of the basket. Fuel lines run from the tanks to the burner and are held in place by sleeves around the uprights.

Each burner has a pilot light that burns continuously and ignites the fuel in the same way the pilot light in a furnace or stove does. The pilot controls the flow of fuel to the burner through “blast valves” – levers attached to the bottom of the burner. The output of a balloon burner is many times greater than that of a typical home furnace and creates the high temperatures required to generate enough lift to make the balloon fly – usually at least 100

Burner Vent/deflation line Basket (fuel tanks strapped in corners) degrees above the outside air temperature, depending on how much weight the balloon carries. Many balloons have additional blast valves and nozzles used as backup systems in case the main burner line fails, and to bypass the preheat coils to create a cooler, brighter, yellow flame that makes the balloon light up during balloon glows.

Burners generate the heat to make the balloon go up, and by varying the length and number of “burns,” the pilot can control how quickly the balloon ascends and how high it goes. But how does the pilot make the balloon go down? One way is to do nothing and just let the air in the balloon cool naturally. As the temperature drops below the level needed to keep the balloon at “equilibrium” – to maintain level flight – the balloon will descend, and the pilot uses the burner to regulate the rate at which the balloon descends. To come down more quickly, and to land, the pilot pulls on a rope that releases heat from the top of the balloon.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Noches Encantadas: Balloon Glows at Balloon Fiesta®

By Kim Vesely A luminaria or farolito … is a small paper lantern (commonly a candle set in some sand inside a paper bag) which is of significance in New Mexico and the broader Southwestern United States at Christmas time, especially on Christmas Eve. They are cultural hallmarks of...New Mexico, and are a part of New Mexico's distinct heritage. (From Wikipedia).

O

nce upon a not entirely sober summer night in 1979, a balloonist from El Paso, Fred Spite, pulled into the Angel Fire Country Club with his brand-new balloon. He went inside, where the participants in the Angel Fire Balloon Rally were “relaxing” after a hard day, and hollered, “I want to see what my new balloon looks like!”

Well, at that point the pilots and crews were game for just about anything, so they went out to the parking lot and helped Fred put up his balloon. In the growing mountain dusk, it lit up like a giant light bulb …. or, well, luminaria. After all, a hot air balloon is essentially a great big bag with a great big candle inside.

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After packing the balloon away, the excited balloon teams headed back to the bar for another toddy. Most had never seen a balloon lit up at night before. At some point, someone mused, “I bet other people might like to see this.”

In the next months, the group came up with the idea of displaying a bunch of balloons on the route of Albuquerque’s annual Luminaria Tour. To make a long story short, on that enchanted Christmas Eve night in 1979, 19 balloons inflated along the tour route, and people were blown away by the sight. As far as has been determined, this was the first large-scale nighttime display of illuminated balloons – what are now known as “balloon glows” – held anywhere.

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PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

Fast forward eight years, to the 1987 Balloon Fiesta.

By this time, many balloon events featured nighttime displays, and Bill Bussey had invented the name “balloon glow” for his event in Plano, TX. But not the Balloon Fiesta, which was still exclusively a daytime event. 1987 was the 75th anniversary of New Mexico statehood, and to celebrate the milestone, Scott Appelman (now the owner of Rainbow Ryders) came up with the idea of doing the biggest balloon glow ever held.

Balloon Fiesta officials agreed, and 300 pilots signed up to participate.

On the night of October 4, the weather was perfect for a nighttime static display. (A nighttime ascension would not be practical because the pilots can’t see landing sites in the dark.) As the sun set and evening crept in, dozens of balloons stood inflated at the old Balloon Fiesta Park (now the main RV park), surrounded by thousands of guests. All the pilots had AM radios tuned into KOB radio, which was broadcasting the event live. At the mobile studio on Concession Row, announcer Larry Ahrens and Assistant Balloonmeister John Davis began to count down for the first “all burn”, the moment when the pilots would all light up their balloons at once. No one knew quite what to expect.

The count hit “0”, and with a deafening roar a tidal wave of light, heat, and noise crashed across Balloon Fiesta Park. Night turned into day on the field as 300 candles/light bulbs/balloons lit up, and the heat could be felt all the way across Concession Row. Everybody stood entranced and open-mouthed – pilots, crews, spectators.

As the pilots turned off their burners and light and noise faded, the roar of the burners was replaced with a different roar – thousands of people cheering at the top of their lungs. It was an electric instant – many who were there still get goose bumps when they talk about it. It to this day is one of the great moments in the history of the Balloon Fiesta.

Of course, the Balloon Glow immediately became an annual event, and drew more guests than even the morning Mass Ascensions. A second glow, the Night Magic glow on the last Saturday, was soon added.

Kim Vesely, the editor since 2003 of the Balloon Fiesta’s Official Program, is one of the co-founders of the original Luminaria Tour Balloon Display in 1979. Over more than 45 years, she’s been involved with the Balloon Fiesta as a television journalist and color commentator, launch director, and board member. She currently is the America’s Challenge Command Center media liaison and a reporter/commentator for Balloon Fiesta Live!

PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

Clockwise from above: The original Luminaria Tour Balloon Display, Christmas Eve at the Albuquerque Country Club; All burn!; The magic of the Balloon Glow, where night turns into day.

By 2000, the problematic late afternoon Special Shape Rodeo flights on Thursdays and Fridays (it was almost always too windy for free flights) evolved into nighttime balloon glows – dubbed Glowdeos – exclusively for special shape balloons. Eventually, yet another glow, the Twilight Twinkle Glow – was added on the first Saturday night in conjunction with the scheduled (but often postponed) launch of the America’s Challenge gas balloon race.

Today’s Balloon Glows are truly family evenings out.

Moms and dads, kids of all ages, uncles and aunts, grandmas and grandpas, bring picnics or sample the Main Street food booths and reconnect on the grass at Balloon Fiesta Park, surrounded by a forest of glowing balloons. In the town square of world ballooning, people from all over the world gather on the noche encantada – the enchanted night – that is a Balloon Fiesta balloon glow.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Getting into Shapes:

The Special Shape Rodeo PHOTO: RAY WATT

BY MARK SULLIVAN

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T

o realize the significance that the Special Shape Rodeo has had on the Balloon Fiesta, you need to go back to 1986.

In those days, the balloons only flew morning events during the nine-day event.

The mass ascensions on the weekends were the main attraction and about the only source of revenue for the Balloon Fiesta. There were not many spectators during the week, even though the pilots took to the air every flyable day.

The Balloon Fiesta first began to realize the potential of evening events a year later. Since 1979, glowing balloons had been on display at Albuquerque’s annual Christmas Eve Luminaria Tours. Balloons inflate at golf courses around the city and sometimes at other locations like the University of NM sports complex, and glow for the caravan of cars viewing all the sites who put up luminarias. In 1987 Scott Appelman, who was serving his first year on the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors, suggested having balloons glow on the first Sunday evening. The Board had never considered having afternoon events but decided to give Scott’s idea a go. Ballooning is best in the morning, so I don’t think the Balloon Fiesta realized how many people would prefer to come to an evening event when they were off work. The Balloon Glow was a huge success which not only changed the Balloon Fiesta but changed how balloon events operated across the world. After all,

afternoon events had much more potential for attracting spectators than the pre-dawn morning events.

I was elected to the Balloon Fiesta Board in 1989 and was excited to be part of such a great balloon event.

Scott and I realized that afternoon events could be a major source of new revenue for the Balloon Fiesta, and we started brainstorming on what type of event would work. At the time, I was flying special shape balloons belonging to the Soukup/Thomas balloon fleet along with some commercial shape balloons belonging to Harold Warner, a Canadian balloon operator. Special shape balloons had appeared at Balloon Fiesta as part of the regular flying events and were enormously popular.

We thought that a new event featuring special shapes on Thursday and Friday afternoons might just work if enough shapes would participate.

Nothing was going on at the field on Thursday and Friday afternoon, so we made a pitch to the Balloon Fiesta Board to bring in some shapes for these two afternoons. The Board was quite skeptical that it would work, and the vote was anything but unanimous. One of the selling points was Scott telling the board that I knew all of the special shape pilots and shape owners and could get enough shapes to put on a good show.

The Board agreed, but there was no money in the budget to fund bringing in special shape balloons. It was not easy to convince pilots to come, since we had no money to pay them. There were few non-commercial

Pictured: The eyes always have it at the Special Shape Rodeo!

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PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJOEIS

Above: The Special Shape Glowdeo is an outgrowth of those first Balloon Fiesta balloon glows, and evolved from the Special Shape Rodeo afternoon flights.

OFFICIAL BALLOON FIESTA PHOTO

shapes flying in the mid1980s. If you wanted one of these shapes to appear at your event, you had to pay the pilot to put it up. Our best selling point was to tell the pilots this would be the largest gathering of shapes in the world and being part of it was something they should not miss.

During these early years of the Balloon Fiesta, members of the Board did a lot of the ground level work to make the Balloon Fiesta successful. This included Board members taking on key flying event official duties, preparing the field, preparing pilot packs, registration and a hundred other things. My job was to recruit special

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shapes and direct the shape event. It turned out that I directed the first seven years of the Special Shape Rodeo, helped negotiate all the shape contracts, and flew a special shape in all the events.

Another problem was that the Balloon Fiesta charged a commercial fee for any balloon displaying a corporate logo. I soon found out to get any commercial shapes we needed to waive these fees. The board agreed to waive the commercial entry fees, but only for the events on Thursday and Friday evening.

Commercial shapes still had to pay if they wanted to fly during the daytime events.

Jodi Baugh was hired this same year as the Balloon Fiesta director of corporate sales. Jodi told us she needed Scott and I to come up with a name for the event in order to help her to find a corporate sponsor. So, at the monthly Top Gun flying event we tried to come up with a name. Since I was having such a hard time rounding up pilots to come, I suggested “Special Shape Round Up”. We came up with many more names, and it was Frank Wechter who came up with the name “Special Shape Rodeo”. With this new name, Jodi successfully pitched the sponsorship of the new event to Sandy Miller with United New Mexico Bank. Wells Fargo, which sponsored the shapes event for many years, was formerly United New Mexico Bank.

One more question still remained: would people come? We sure hoped so, since the forecast was for good weather both Thursday and Friday afternoons. Boy did Jodi's and Sandy’s marketing skills do the job. The event was such a success that it created major traffic

jams and produced huge crowds. Twenty-eight shapes participated in the first Special Shape Rodeo, putting our new event on solid ground. The Special Shape Rodeo grew each year with 35 shapes in 1990, 45 shapes in 1991, 62 shapes from eight countries in 1992, and by 1996 108 shapes.

October is a wonderful time of year in Albuquerque, with cool mornings and warm afternoons. But It’s not easy to fly balloons in the afternoon because thermal activity does not end until about one hour before sunset.

We had some crazy flights during these early years and there are many great stories of pilots riding thermals until right before sunset. By 1993, the Special Shape Rodeo was such a success that the Balloon Fiesta added a Thursday morning launch from the field. This guaranteed the shape pilots at least one good flight window and showcased the shapes to the public at an additional event. As the Shape events continued to grow in popularity, in 1998 the Shapes were the only balloons

Below: Early Special Shape Rodeo, where the shapes flew in afternoon competitions that were sometimes breezy and turbulent.

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

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The Special Shape Rodeo is an extremely complicated event to put on. Each shape requires a contract and many of them need lots of crew. The shapes coming from abroad need vehicles. Some shapes are massive and you can imagine what shipping costs. The Balloon Fiesta staff spends hundreds of hours making sure the Rodeo goes off without any problem. But the result is well worth it, measured in children’s smiles, awed stares, and the enjoyment of Balloon Fiesta guests.

PHOTO: RAY WATT

flying from the field on Thursday and Friday morning.

All the other balloons flew into the field for our pole grab events and other competitive events. Around the same time, since afternoon flying was so challenging, the Balloon Fiesta turned the afternoon Special Shape events into evening balloon glows, dubbed “Glowdeos.”

As time went on, landing spots became increasingly difficult to find, especially for the large special shapes, a change was needed. In 2016, the Balloon Fiesta’s Event Director at the time, Paul Petrehn, came up with a plan that vastly improved the Shape Rodeo. He moved all the shapes onto the entire east side of the field (where Main Street is). Those Shape pilots who wanted to fly could do so as long as they launched before balloons participating in competition began to fly across Balloon Fiesta Park. Those special shapes that remained on the field would put on a static display as the competition pilots came into the field to drop markers and do the very popular “drop a ring over the pole event”. What a treat for the public! They could see all the shapes and at the same time watch our most popular competitive events. The incoming competition pilots also enjoyed the new arrangement as flying into the field can be quite spectacular seeing all the special shapes lined up along the scoring boundary. It also added a degree of difficulty for competitors flying into the field from the east, since it requires them to navigate over some of the large shapes.

The Special Shape Rodeo and Glowdeo has brought in millions of dollars in cash flow into the Balloon Fiesta, helping to improve its solvency. It also changed how events all over the world operate. Most events now add special shape balloons as part of their show to increase revenue and value to their guests’ experience.

Above: Yoda! You seek Yoda!

Below: Special shapes lined up on the east side of Balloon Fiesta Park as competition pilots approach the field from the west.

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

Mark Sullivan, the current president of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (World Air Sports Federation) Ballooning Commission and a champion hot air and gas balloonist, is one of the co-founders of the Special Shape Rodeo/Glowdeo and the founder of the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Special Shape Directory

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Adler, David MISS AUTUMN Yuma, AZ United States

Ashton, Gerg MONTIE THE BLACK SHEEP Meridian, ID United States

Alford, Ben ADELAIDE THE KOALA Bristol United Kingdom

Askren, Sean XFINITY Middletown, OH United States

Ballinger, Barry IN THE BUFF Lubbock, TX United States

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Audenaert, Filip HUG A BEAR Waasmunster Belgium

Barends, Alex MISTER GLOBIE Enschede, Overijssel Netherlands

Bonimcontro, Marcos FLYING SAUCER São Paulo Brazil

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Anderson, Denny TOM CAT Ankeny, IA United States

Boyer, Don ITSY BITSY Belen, NM United States

Ary, George STEGGY Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Brazil

August, Joe SHERIFF AIRMADILLO Newport Beach, CA United States

Bennett, Brian JERRY MOUSE Agency, IA United States

Brown, Toby ALLYCORN Denver, CO United States

Baker, Dave SCARLETT Thatcham, Berkshire United Kingdom

Bennett, Jeff SIMBALOO Tulsa, OK United States

Burdue, Bradley SPACE COWBOY Whitehouse, OH United States

Burrows, Paul BUSTER THE BULLDOG Bristol United Kingdom

Buzzard, Earl SPEEDY Albuquerque, NM United States

Campanale, Frank CAROUSEL Orchard Lake, MI United States

Carlton, Dean WAGZ Danville, IL United States

Cassell, James BEAGLE MAXIMUS Albuquerque, NM United States

Cavin, John YELLOW BIRD Indialantic, FL United States

Cayton, Andy EDDIE & RICKENBACKER Black Creek, GA United States

Cesnik, Luke FREEDOM FLIGHT V Saint Cloud, MN United States

Chieruzzi, Maria THE LOVEBIRDS Sparta, MO United States

Clark, Roger DARTH VADER Greer, SC United States

Cox, Jordan CHRIS P. BACON Indianapolis, IN United States

Cox, Justin IVO Carmel, IN United States

Davison, Neil BALLOONAFUL SUNRISE Phoenix, AZ United States

De Almeida, Ricardo TOY CAR Boituva, São Paulo Brazil

De Assis, Luiz CORK São Paulo Brazil

DeGraff, Trudy CUTIE DINK Corrales, NM United States

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Dieringer, Nathan SQUEAK Menasha, WI United States

Eaton, Erik PEANUT Noblesville, IN United States

Ferland, Jean-Francois TICO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec, Canada

Glen, Chris JOEY LITTLE BEE Spokane, WA United States

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Dillard, Terry FLIP FLOP FANTASIES Debary, FL United States

Edwards, Charles MR. WINKLE Ft Myers, FL United States

Fielding, Mike ZORO Oak Point, TX United States

Glen, Michael JOELLY Mesa, AZ United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Drennan, Ben SUNNY BOY Cordele, GA United States

Edwards, Don SNOBIRD Soldotna, AK United States

Gantt, Doug HAM-LET Rio Rancho, NM United States

Graham, Colin BUD E. BEAVER Belgrade, MT United States

Dunrud Jr., David ROCKEY Geyserville, CA United States

Farrell, Craig TIGER Palmerston, ACT Australia

Garcia, Mike 1 DOWN 8-2 GO Albuquerque, NM United States

Griggs, Katie SUSHI Dayton, NV United States

Griswold, Peter MR. WINTER Peachtree City, GA United States

Hodge, Jonathan SPLASH Madison Heights, MI United States

Haliczer, Jeff OFF THE WALL Reno, NV United States

Hoefer, Rudolf FOX Michelbach Germany

Jones, Derrick TIC TOC Hudsonville, MI United States

Lambert, Benoit MASTER YODA BALLOON Court-St.-Etienne Belgium

Hlebechuk, Kris PUDDLES Wasilla, AK United States

Holly, Andrew TALL STEVE Gloucestershire United Kingdom

Kalousdian, Rubens FLYING BUS São Paulo Brazil

Lawhorn, Rich HUMPTY DUMPTY Louisville, KY United States

Hodge, Art DUMA The Villages, FL United States

Hooper, Lee ALIEN Radstock, Somerset United Kingdom

Kolba, Jon CHIC-I-BOOM Crooks, SD United States

Lawton, Jeff FREDDIE THE FOX Godalming, Surrey United Kingdom

Jaques, Tyler PIGASUS Battle Creek, MI United States

Komadina, Mark STORK Rio Rancho, NM United States

Lilzey, Brian CATHY’S HOPE Fall Branch, TN United States

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Lin, Martin BRAVO BEAR Luye Township, Taitung County, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Little, Rollie SARAH THE WITCH Glendale, AZ United States

Lupton, Robert LADY JESTER Albuquerque, NM United States

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Macedo, Warley MANDRILL São Paulo Brazil

Lopes, Fabio TEDDY AND LINDY Tôrres, Rio Grande do Sul Brazil

Lorentz, Mike CLAW’D THE CRAZY CRAB Canton, OH United States

Meyer, Mark CARNIVAL Vass, NC United States

Mitchell, Max EL FONZ Champaign, IL United States

Moore, Ashley WES THE WOLF Bideford, Devon United Kingdom

Moore, Gary OWLBERT EYENSTEIN Lake Havasu City, AZ United States

Müller, Roman SWISS CHALET Härkingen, Solothurn Switzerland

Nilz, Paddy SAHUARO GRANDE Marana, AZ United States

O’Brien, Bob RUBBER DUCKY Waupaca, WI United States

Peirsman, Geert ALBERT THE GNOME Belsele Belgium

Pereira Gonçalves, Murilo A BRUXA Sombrio, Santa Catarina Brazil

Procopio, Peter KOSHARE GALLUP Gallup, NM United States

Randall, Thomas SYDNEY Placitas, NM United States

Randell, Will DAZ Coopersburg, PA United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Reichert, Sheryl PARTY El Cajon, CA United States

Reineke, Dave PEG LEG PETE Mahomet, IL United States

Roehrs, Hinnerk ALFRED THE CARPENDER Celle Germany

Scott, Michael CHESHIRE CAT Oklahoma City, OK United States

Shrum, Tamie TE AMO Box Elder, SD United States

Richards, Ursula SQUAWKURS Albuquerque, NM United States

Rolfe, Pat CYNTHIA SEAL Battle Creek, MI United States

Semler, Jack LITTLE D Westfield, IN United States

Romaneschi, Bob LILLY LITTLE BEE Peoria, AZ United States

Sevrin, Sidney BELZEBUTH Villers-la-Ville Belgium

Siebel, Thomas OLAF Freudenberg, NRW Germany

Ritchie, Dale AIRABELLE, THE CREAMLAND COW Golden, British Columbia Canada

Schuler, Jay PENCIL BOY Reno, NV United States

Shipman, Shane MODEL T Rio Rancho, NM United States

Sines, Gary COCO THE CLOWN Ashland, MO United States

Shrum, Mike LA RISTRA Box Elder, SD United States

Sines, Janice BUZZY THE BEE Ashland, MO United States

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Strauf, Marcus WERA SCREW DRIVER Waldbröl, NRW Germany

Stutsman, Gene PUDDYCAT Goshen, IN United States

Tremblay, Sylvain PIKO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec, Canada

Van Wolvelaer, Geert BOBO THE HAPPY LOBSTER Urgup, Nevşehir Turkey

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Taveira, Valdemir LITTLE DOG Osasco, São Paulo Brazil

Trillanes, Mark FLYING BARN Albuquerque, NM United States

Thomas, Steve PANTHER Bath, Somerset United Kingdom

Urbanski, Frank UNCLE SAM Dakota Dunes, SD United States

Van Overwalle, Peter PRINCESS NELLY Nazareth Belgium

Viner, John MASTER ZABA North Muskham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom

Waltman, Debbi PONDEMONIUM Windsor, CO United States

Warren, Tom LASKA THE UNICORN Land O’ Lakes, FL United States

Wooge, Scott LINDY St. Louis, MO United States

Wright, Thom MISTER Z Albuquerque, NM United States

Wright-Smith, Beth SMOKEY BEAR Albuquerque, NM United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Toledo, Paulo ROBOT WOOZI Guarujá, São Paulo Brazil

Wilkinson, Steve COSMIC CRISP APPLE Palm Desert, CA United States

Adventure Awaits!

Come experience our exciting activities including a prize wheel, a fun photo booth and a special treat just for AARP members!

October 1-3, 2022

Check out the AARP Block Party!

THE 1990s: 1990-1999

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The

1990S f the 1970s and 1980s were a party danced to the throb of disco and Michael Jackson’s funky tempos, the 1990s in many ways were the morning after: a global reckoning marked by the Gulf War, riots speared by concerns about racial injustice, and mass killings – Oklahoma City, Columbine, and others – that sadly in retrospect seem to have been just the beginning of a long list of senseless and unforgivable acts of malice and terror. Of course, the decade wasn’t all bad. The Cold War ended (at least for that time), the Hubble Space Telescope took flight, the World Wide Web debuted, the stock market soared (and then didn’t), and Y2K’s predicted computer crash turned out to be a big non-event.

In the 1990s and extending into the early 2000s, the Balloon Fiesta completed its transformation into essentially the event it is today, with multiple balloon glows, the featured Special Shape events on Thursday and Friday morning and evening, the Dawn Patrol Show on mass ascension mornings, and the thrilling America’s Challenge gas balloon race across the U.S. The event also found its permanent home at the current Balloon Fiesta Park, ending a quarter-century of wandering north through Albuquerque. No longer a teenager, the Balloon Fiesta was coming “of age” and into its early adulthood.

I

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

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THE 1990s: 1990-1999

1990

Big name entertainment came to the Balloon Fiesta in 1990 with a concert from Three Dog Night. In some ways, the Balloon Fiesta seems a natural for large, open-air concerts, but the dirt fields in the early years were not necessarily pleasant places for concert-

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goers to hang out for long periods. Concerts did not become an annual part of Balloon Fiesta for another two decades.

In these years, the number of balloons at the Balloon Fiesta settled in the 600 range, with 33 special shapes participating in the second Special Shape Rodeo.

1991

The slogan on the bumper sticker sums up the prevailing attitude as the Balloon Fiesta entered its 20th year. The Balloon Fiesta was now a mature event, with most of the large pieces of the event we know today now in place. The weekend mass ascensions, the Balloon Glows with fireworks, and the Special Shape Rodeo would all expand in the coming years, but that solid core was there to build on.

However, 1991 was the end of the line for one institution that had been part of the Balloon Fiesta since 1973 and the World Championships. On the first Saturday of the event after flying, pilots and crews loaded up their trucks and

headed into town to participate in what had become New Mexico’s biggest parade. The balloon teams decorated their trucks, and many crews paraded in costume in an event that also featured floats, bands, and other community entries. This huge parade, with hundreds of entries, had become too much for both the city and the Balloon Fiesta to manage. It is still remembered fondly by balloon enthusiasts and local residents alike.

1992

In the early part of the 1990s, Balloon Fiesta sponsoring and marketing efforts underwent a major overhaul, largely through the efforts of the dynamic Jodi Baugh. In a very short time, through Jodi’s and others’ efforts, Kodak became the Balloon Fiesta’s first title sponsor, a distinction which continued for a decade.

In this pre-digital era, shutterbugs went through a lot of film at the Balloon Fiesta, which to this day is considered to be the most photographed event in the world. These and other marketing efforts began to put Balloon Fiesta on a more solid financial footing.

Among the new events to Balloon Fiesta in 1992 were the Manfred Radius Glider Show, the Parade of Lights, and – well, not quite a new event – the Dawn Patrol.

The first Dawn Patrol flight ever took place at Balloon Fiesta in 1978, but it did not become an official part of the event until 1992. The Dawn Patrol pilots have specially-approved aircraft lights that allow them to fly while it is still dark outside, and their flights are a sort of “balloon glow in the sky.” Their fellow pilots launching later in the morning watch the Dawn Patrol to get an idea of wind direction at various altitudes.

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1993

In 1993, Albuquerque and the Balloon Fiesta hosted a world championship event for the first time in two decades. The Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, the world’s oldest air race, is considered by many to be the world

1994

In the half-decade or so since the Balloon Glow and Special Shape Rodeo had come to the Balloon Fiesta, these new events had become nearly as popular as the traditional morning mass ascensions and competitions – something that was not lost on the Balloon Fiesta board of directors and staff. In 1994, the Balloon Fiesta added a second “Night Magic” balloon glow on the last Saturday evening, and gave the special shape balloons their own Thursday morning mass ascension. Also back were the world’s top gas balloonists, this time to compete in the World Gas Balloon Championships. This is a different event from the Gordon Bennett and requires balloonists to fly to specific targets which may be hundreds of miles downrange.

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championship for distance gas ballooning, in which the world’s leading pilots attempt to achieve the greatest distance from the launch point.

David Levin and James Herschend’s 1992 Gordon Bennett win gave the U.S., for the first time since 1933, the right to host this prestigious event. The Balloon Fiesta pulled out all the stops to make the Gordon Bennett special, including the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra’s playing each country’s national anthem as the teams launched. This was the first of four Gordon Bennett races hosted by the Balloon Fiesta (the others were in 1999, 2005, and 2008), and it marked the permanent return of gas ballooning to the Balloon Fiesta.

Also in 1993, the Balloon Fiesta added a fifth Mass Ascension, on Wednesdays, to give Balloon Fiesta guests an additional opportunity to see this spectacular event.

1995

The Balloon Fiesta’s last year at the old Balloon Fiesta Park ushered in two new big events. The America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons gave the U.S. and the Balloon Fiesta a permanent presence on the world gas ballooning stage, providing pilots with an opportunity to fly long distances without having to cross international borders.

And after years of dealing with fickle afternoon winds, the Balloon Fiesta replaced one of the afternoon Special Shape Rodeo flights with a new evening event, the Special Shape Glowdeo. The new glow, exclusively for special shapes, was a huge hit with guests and provided a fitting climax to the Balloon Fiesta’s ten-year run at the old Balloon Fiesta Park.

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1996

In 1996, the Balloon Fiesta had a lot to celebrate besides 25 years of safe flights and soft landings.

Most significantly, it finally had a permanent home at the City of Albuquerque’s new Balloon Fiesta Park. It had taken a great deal of effort and cooperation among the Balloon Fiesta board, state officials and legislators, and the City of Albuquerque to acquire the land – a former gravel mining pit – and add the infrastructure to support the hundreds of balloonists and tens of thousands of guests who attend the Balloon Fiesta. Much work remained to be done to bring the park up to the level guests enjoy today – most of it was still dirt, for one thing – but the Balloon Fiesta was on its way.

With the move to the new field came new events and other changes: the key grab became a “house grab” thanks to a Sivage Thomas sponsorship; and some of the Dawn Patrol balloonists created a new “Dawn Patrol Show” – a choreographed inflation and nighttime launch set to narration and music -- performed on mass ascension days. Marge Ruppenthal retired as Executive Director, and within a year Paul Smith became the new and current Executive Director.

PHOTO: CINDA FAIRFIELD

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1997

The move to the new Balloon Fiesta Park brought new opportunities, including the opportunity for more balloons and balloonists to come what had become, de facto, the town square of world ballooning. The “Flight of the Nations” was created to celebrate the international pilots and enthusiasts who had been so much a part of the Balloon Fiesta since its beginning. At the Wednesday mass ascension, international pilots fly their nations’ flags as they launch, and the Balloon Fiesta holds a special reception for their out-of-country balloon teams.

And there were more balloons than ever before, with more than 800 hot air balloons registered, along with 81 special shapes and the 17 gas balloons participating in the America’s Challenge.

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1998

With efforts focused on the ongoing development of the new Balloon Fiesta Park, the last couple of years of the old millennium fell into a familiar rhythm.

The Balloon Fiesta now included five mass ascensions, including the Flight of the Nations on Wednesdays. The Special Shape Rodeo now had evolved to consist of a Thursday morning mass ascension, a Thursday Evening balloon “glowdeo,” and a Friday afternoon competition flight (when the winds permitted). The “fun” hot air competitive events of the late 1970s and 1980s were giving way to tasks more like those flown in most regional and national competitions (but the ever-popular pole grab remained).

Already, America’s Challenge gas balloon competitors were posting distances of

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more than 1,000 miles. That year’s victors, Troy Bradley and Tami Stevenson-Bradley – the competition’s first female winner – flew well into Canada.

1999

The Balloon Fiesta in 1999 came to the rescue when the Coupe Gordon Bennett’s host city became unable to run the event. For the second time that decade, the world’s distance gas ballooning competition came to Albuquerque. The Balloon Fiesta cancelled that year’s America’s Challenge to

accommodate the 20 Gordon Bennett competitors.

In another first, Steve Yazzie, became – in 1999 and 2000 – the event’s first Native American balloonmeister, as everyone planned for what they expected to be a very “Big One” in the millennial year of 2000.

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CELEBRATIBG 50 YEARS

There's Nothing Like

Being There

BY PATRICK MURPHY

Reprinted from the 1992 Balloon Fiesta Program

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I

am a native Californian. After moving to central Illinois, where I spent the first four years of the 1980s, I decided to take a year-long sabbatical from the world and see the country. Jerry Berger, a repatriated Albuquerque native and my freshman roommate at the University of Hawaii back in 1972, had invited me to come stay with him on my way through the Southwest. On Friday, October 12, 1984, I called from the Painted Desert in Arizona to say I’d be arriving the following Saturday afternoon. Jerry said we’d be able to catch the Lobo football game that night and then go see the final day of the Balloon Fiesta on Sunday morning. OK, so what’s a balloon fiesta?

I arrived on Saturday, just in time to grab a quick bite and head over to the football stadium to see the Lobos let yet another victory slip through their fingers. On this night they literally did, as I stood on the grass behind the

end zone and watched the winning touchdown pass slip through the fingers of the tight end, who dropped the ball ten feet in front of me with less than one minute left in the game.

The next morning came at 4:30 AM, as Jerry shook me awake in the dark and we (Jerry, his two young daughters, and me – his wife had done this before and stayed in bed this time) piled into the car in front of his west side home. The drive across the bridge into the darkness was guided by one of the most incredible sights I had ever seen – headlights as far as the eye could see! And nobody was moving! I had been in traffic jams before, especially in Los Angeles, but never at 5 o’clock in the morning in the middle of nowhere!

Jerry seemed rather calm about this, and so I just sat and remained fascinated by the slow movement of the cars, the friendliness of the people directing traffic, and

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the anticipation that seemed to permeate the air as we got closer to our destination. Everybody seemed so happy.

Out of our car, milling around the field in the dark, kind of cold, I had not the slightest idea of what was about to happen. All I knew was that there were a lot of people here and they seemed pretty happy to have gotten up so early in the morning on a Sunday.

With my mind wandering in front of my feet, I was suddenly jolted by a burst of sound, then warmth, immediately behind me, as someone began testing the burner of his balloon. I had never seen anything like this before. Never a hot-air balloon up close and never so many people up so early in the morning stumbling around on an old dirt field in the dark.

Then it began. Inflation fans began roaring and colored fabric started flapping and swelling up all around me in the pre-dawn light. The burners spewed flames into the rising air bags and my head started to spin. I lost track of Jerry and his daughters and began wandering aimlessly amidst the most incredible array of sights and sounds I had ever experienced. It was as though acres of the ground had come alive and the earth was breathing!

The constant drone of inflation fans, punctuated by countless ignited burners, seemed to bring life to these giant creatures who kept rising all around, as if they were waking up in a gargantuan pumpkin patch!

And to top the whole scene off, the sun dramatically burst over the mountains and set the entire field on fire with brilliant color and dancing shadows, as the first balloons began their ascent with delighted cheers from the crowd. King Kong-sized balloons, anchored to the ground, swayed to and fro as they awaited their moment to launch. Their massive forms created shapes and shadows that made the sun-drenched balloons rising in the background even more striking in their contrast.

Each launch was replaced by yet another inflation, and each inflation by another launch. It was dizzying!

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And this entire production repeated itself over and over again for more than two hours! I was so swept up in it all that I consciously lost track of every tangible aspect of my existence. I wasn’t hungry, I wasn’t thirsty, and I couldn’t tell you if I was walking or floating around the balloon field.

As the last of the balloons launched from the field, Jerry found me in a glazed-eyed heap somewhere in the middle, not knowing where to go. I vaguely remember an air show immediately following the Mass Ascension, but it still remains something of a blur. What I do remember is feeling as if I had, for the first time, experienced sensory overload. So many colorful sights, penetrating sounds, and changing smells had virtually numbed my ability to absorb any more.

But I was happy. Very happy.

The picture of me (on the left) and Jerry, Ashley, and Carley Berger was taken by a kind but unsuspecting Japanese woman who could not even speak English, but seemed happy to accommodate our request.

I moved permanently to Albuquerque the following spring and have been at every Balloon Fiesta since that first one in 1984. They have all been distinct and unique, for me, for one reason or another. But as I am sure is true for every veteran spectator, that first uninitiated exposure to this overwhelmingly magnificent event holds a special place in my heart. It was a memorable day that could only be described by saying, “You kinda had to be there.”

Having had no preparation for what I was about to experience, I was fortunate to have seen and heard everything that I did. One of the program articles that I found helpful that year was about spectator etiquette at the Balloon Fiesta. I later learned that there are not many balloon rallies where spectators are allowed so close to the balloons, and so I read very carefully about the do’s and don’ts of being a spectator. Here’s what I mean: • Dress in layers, so you can peel them off as the morning progresses. That goes for the kids, too!

• Bring lots of extra film. Everything they’ve told you about how many pictures you’ll take is true.

• Always watch where you’re going. It’s easy to lose track.

• Don’t smoke around the balloons. We all know propane is flammable, but so is nylon.

• Don’t help the pilot or crew unless you are asked – directly.

• Be extra courteous to pilots, their crews, and your fellow spectators. There’s plenty of sky, but ground space is limited. Be a good neighbor.

• Have the time of your life.

The last thing Pat Murphy, a traveling accountant and house painter, could have possibly imagined in 1984 was that, six years later, he and his newly-formed company, On the Road Productions, would for several years become the official video producer of the Balloon Fiesta.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Balloon Fiesta®

Navigators LET YOUR INNER COMPASS GUIDE YOU TO BE A BALLOON FIESTA® NAVIGATOR

BY NAVIGATOR MANAGER, SAMANTHA GREENWALD

H

ave you ever thought of how many people it takes to put Balloon Fiesta on every year?

The full-time Balloon Fiesta staff consists of just 19 people, so our 1200 Navigators are crucial to the success of the world's premier ballooning event!

During the event, all of our Navigators work in sync to make the guest experience safe and spectacular.

Navigators serve on more than 45 different teams and some of our Navigators have volunteered for their

position since the 1970s! Our Navigators come from all over the world, year after year, to build lasting friendships and create a one of a kind guest experience.

To learn more about the full range of volunteer opportunities, or to be a part of the action in 2023, please visit the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta website under the Volunteering tab. For questions, please contact our Navigator Manager, Samantha Greenwald at sgreenwald@balloonfiesta.com.

Above: Scoring Officials (Navigators) measuring a baggie drop.

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Balloon Fiesta is looking for upbeat, enthusiastic, caring people to join our team of Navigators!

A Navigator is a person who directs, guides, or manages a traveler on their course. The word Navigator embodies the role our volunteers play for our guests, pilots, crew, even fellow Navigators and staff, -- offering guidance, showing them the way, and confidently leading them to everything they need to have an outstanding experience.

Approximately 1,200 people have met the qualifications to become Navigators by completing the application, being assigned to a Navigator team, and completing Navigator basic training in their first year. Navigators help before, during, and after the event. Navigators are critical to every area of operations, providing guest services, administrative services, balloon coordination and safety, set-up and logistics across approximately 45 different teams.

Check out the Balloon Fiesta website to join us for year 51 October 7-15, 2023.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS Abbott, Marjorie Abel, Douglas (Scott) Abel, John Abrams, Wendy Abruzzo, Nancy Addis, Eric Aguilar, James Ahern, James Ahrens, Carlette Ahrens, Ryan Alexander, Jamey Allen, James Allen, Jean Allison, JR Alvarado, Yolanda Ambriz, Anthony Ambriz, Sally Anderson, Jeff Andrews, Linda Anello, Benjamin Anello, Clarissa Anello, Sheryl Aranda, Richard Arballo, Vanessa Arbuckle, Joel Arbuckle, Terri Arias, Christina Arias, John Arias, Santiago Armijo, Maria Armstrong, Julie Arndt, Steve Arthur, Luanne Artino, Gina Asper, Amy Atrey, Vedika Attridge Shemack, Teresa Auble, Lorrie Baca, Ana Back, Evalyn Bacoccini, Elizabeth Bacoccini, Kyle Baggett, William Bagley, James W Bailey, Ray Bair, Carol Bair, Ray Baker, Denise Balestreri, Joe Balestri, Andrea Balestri, Joe Balestri, Laina Balestri, Lucian Balistreri, Joseph Balkin, Harris Ballengee, Joseph Ballenthin, John Ballenthin, Linda Ballenthin, Thomas Balzarini, Angela Banta, Victor Bapst, Lisa Bapst, Rick Barker, Dean Barry, Eva Barry, Maggie Barry, William Bartholomew, Sara Bates, Diane Bates, Mike Batt, Sherri Baxter, Marj Baxter, Samantha Baxter, Shannon Beamon, Carlos Beck, David Beck, Debbie Beck, John Beck, Patrick Benavidez, Amber

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Bennett, Gary Berger, Laura Bergren, Sarah Bergstrom, Tina Bernal, Dodie Best, Audrey Best, Paul Biddison, Patricia Bietz, Tamara Billson, Margaret Blackaby, Gayle Blackaby, Sondra Blake, Deborah Blauwkamp, Rol Blea, Stephen Blech, Dusty Blech, Gay Bleich, Ruth Bobel, David Bobel, Mina Bockwoldt, Diane Bockwoldt, Karl Bodette, David Bodette, Susan Bogdan, Edward Bogdan, Joan Bond, Melissa Book, Charles Borruel, Robert Bottinelli, Kayla Bouchier, Frank Bouchier, Nance Boyd, Charles 'Chuck' Boyd, Susan Bracamonte, Susie Bradley, Fred Bradley, Margaret Brammer, Leo Brammer, Linda Bramson, Barbara LaVerne Bramson, Mark Branch, Doreen Brauer, Teri Brechtel, Adam Sparks Brennan, Bill Brennan, Jane Brennan, John Brennan, Melissa Brennan, Rita Brewer, Mary Ann Brittain, Cynthia Brody, Anna Broemel, Mary Brown, Dick Brown, Karen Brown, Tina Brown, Yvonne Brumbaugh, Beverly Brumbaugh, Steven Bruzek, Beverly Bruzek, David Bryant, Belinda Budde, Anthony Budde, Katelyn Buehler, Shannon Bueno, Thomas Bullock, Mark Bundy, Jeanette Bundy, Robert Burd, Connie Burd, John Burney, Sarah Busam, Carol Bush, Jennifer Bustamante, Elisa Butts, Alan Butts, Judy Buxton, Stanley Byrd, Carol Byrd, James

Caldwell, Allison Caldwell, Kimberley Caldwell, Trenten Caldwell, Wanda Caldwell, Wess Callison, Janna Cardenas, Alice Cardiel, Gina Carl, Pat Carrillo Jr, George Carrillo, Albert Carrillo, Geraldine Carter, Carroll Caruso, Ayla Caruso, Dorreen Caruso, Louie Casanova, Ettaline Casanova, Gretta Casaus, Lorenzo Castillo, Steven Caton, Doyle Cavenee, Noah Cavner, Denise Center, Mabel Irene Center, Randolph Chambers, Joann Chambers, Julia Chandler, Michael Chaplin, Ron Chapman, Glenna Chapman, Jack Chapman, Ruth Ann Chappell, Jeff Charles, Cheryl Charles, Chuck Chavez, Aaron Chavez, Chris Chavez, Lawrence Chavez, Maria Chavez, Nicholas Chavez, Ralph Chavez, Tami Cherniak, Gary Choudhary, Amit Chouinard, Ginger Christopher, Tom Christophersen, Mary Lou Chubb, Dillan Chubb, Tiffany Chumley, Kenneth Ciaramitaro, Becky Ciccarelli, David Ciccarelli, Michael Clark, Corby Clark, Roger Clay, Sarah Clements, Cameron Clements, Katherine Clemons, Pradelia Cloney, Kevin Cobo, Lucia Cofer, Jaxson Coffing, Steve Coleman, Stephen Collins, David A Collins, Linda Conine, Rachel Conley, Barry Conley, Kristi Conley, Tamara Conner, Kristin Connor, Linda Cook, Pamela Coon, Kenneth Coon, Kirby Cooper, Matthew Cooper, Sarah Corbett, Trish Corbin, Rex Cordova, Bryan

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Corio, Barb Corio, Bob Cornejo, Gilda Cortez, Rosie Cote, Barbara Courtney Bueno, Neida Cousineau, Gregory Cowan, Elizabeth Cowan, Robert Cowboy, Savanna Cox, Cheryl Cox, Vernon Cramer, Linda Cramer, Roxanne Craner, Paullette Crawford, Christopher Creel, Margie Cress, Dianne Criel, Bruce Criel, Laura Criel, Todd Crocker, Matthew Crocker, Terri Crossland, David Cruickshank, Neffitti Cruz, Diana Cruz, Jennifer Cuales, Alan Culley, Joseph Cummings, Martha Curry, Barbara Curry, Visty Czar, Jay Dahms, Guy Daily, Fred Dale, Ben Daniel, Doug Daniels, Kathleen D'arco, Christine David, Jack David, Margie Davis, Bob Davis, Gram Davis, Jeffrey Davis, John Davis, Rachel Davis, William Davis, Zane Dawson, Bruce Dawson, Jill DeBlieux, Bill 'Bo' DeBlieux, Karen Deen Jr, Billy Degenhardt, Craig Degon, Carol Degon, Salvatore DeGroat, Sheri Delle Donne, Denise Delph, Daniel Demler, Edward Demler, Grace DeRosa, Arminda Desrosiers, Jim Detorie, Deb Dewart, Kyra Dewart, Mike Dewey, Judy Dewey, Philip Dill, Jeff Dingmann, Joan Dirks, Kristi Ditz, William Dobler, Judy Domenici, Liliana Donahoo, Wendy Doonan, Philip Doonan, Stephen Dore, Victoria Dow, A. Elizabeth Dow, James Dowling, Celina

Downs, Jansen Drake, Marilyn Draper, Steven Dunavent, Duncan Dunn, Gerrold Dunn, Jennifer Dunnum, Suzy Duran-Arias, Domenica Dyck, Ron Edelstein, Marv Edwards Witmer, Patricia Edwards, Diana Edwards, Michael Edwards, Tami Einarsen, Suellen Eldridge, Stacy Elkins, Andee Elkins, Ralph Elliott-Snoeberger, Kim Elrick, John Engdahl, Donald English, Celeste English, Larry Erickson, Jim Erickson, Keith Espinosa, Daniel Espinoza, Liz Espinoza, MaryLaine Esquivel, Johnny Evans, Linda Ewart, Tom Fehrenbacher, Michael Fehrenbacher, Misty Felder, Josephine Felder, Timothy Feltman Jr, Henry Guy Fennell, Kathy Fenske, David Fenzi-Richardson, Demetria Ferro, Linda Finch, Deana Fincher-Lucky, Kimberly A Fischer, Donald Fischer, Jim Fisher, Orele Fleetwood, Karen Fleg, Anthony Fletcher, Alicia Focke, William Foley, Dennise Foley, Mike Folgate, Leah Forbes, Ethan Ford, Deztini Foss, Pamela Foster, Denise Foster, Mark Foxworthy, Eugene Foxworthy, Shelly Foxx-Chavez, Erin Francis, Marcy Fredendall, Paul Fredendall, Sue Freebern, Kathleen Freebern, Keith French, Kevin Fricke, Barbara Fulkerson, Ben Fuller, Doug Furber, Brenda Furber, Lawrence Gabaldon, Herman Gallagher, Doug Galvan, Janice Gamblin, Mike Gamblin, Polly Garber, Stuart Garcia, Brianna

Garcia, Charles Garcia, Connie Garcia, Deborah Garcia, Ernie Garcia, Jim Garcia, Kathy Garcia, Lorraine Garcia, Mary Lynn Garcia, Mike Garcia, Rosemary Garcia, Sabrina Garcia, Triston Gardner, Michael Gardner, Teri Garman, Chris Gatterman, Melinda Geck, William Gefeke, Beate Gefeke, Ruediger Gensinger, Darla Gensinger, Larry Gessner, Fred Gibbons, Veronica Gibson, Becky Gibson, Linda Gibson, Steven Giersch, Ben Giersch, Darrla Giersch, Denae Giersch, Jadyen Giersch, John Giersch, Kendra Gillespie, Laura Gillespie, Stan Gilligan, Mike Gilson, Diana Gladish, Jerry Glaspey, Kathleen Glass, Steve Glassman, Elsa Glenn, Janell Glenn, MacKenzie Glenn, Richard Glover, Catherine Godfrey, James Godfrey, Rebecca Gonzales, Bernice Gonzales, Debbie Gonzales, Miquelina Gonzalez, Alfredo Gonzalez, Monica Gonzalez, Nancy Goodwin, Harris Goodwin, Kimberly Gorden, Garrick Gorlaski, Chelsea Gorlaski, Matt Gough, Thomas Gradillas, Tony Graham, Jenni Gransbury, Theodore Grant, Kay Grathwol, Colleen Graves, Paula Greeno, Mark Griego, Penny Griego, Rodney Griffin, Sandra Griggs, Benjamin Groothuizen, John Groothuizen, Monique Grossetete, Ginger Gunderson, David Gunderson, Kathleen Guthrie, Matt Gutierrez, Michael Guziel, Karen Haagsma, Edward Haagsma, Teresa Hall, Deb Hallstrom, Anita

Hallstrom, Greg Hallstrom, Katie Hallstrom, Lori Hancock, Nicole Hanley, Kathy Hanna, Marion Hannon, Keith Hanoumis, Terri Harden, Scott Harders, Dennis Hardy, Selena Harkness, Inez Harmon, Francie Harris, Amy Harvey, Zachary Hathoot, Patricia Hathoot, Steve Hawkins, Bree Hawkins, Taya Heacock-Reyes, Andrea Healy, Michelle Heffron, Kathy Heim, Dave Heim, Jackie Heinly, Calvin Heinly, Mary Ellen Helak, Rita Henderson, Don Hengel, Michelle Henkel, Carmen Henkel, Richard Hering, Susan Herrington, Raymond Herson, Taylor Hessler, Amanda Hessler, Andrew Hessler, Brad Higgins, Brenda Hill, Alisa Hill, Charles Hill, Danielle Hill, Jacob Hillard, Deb Hines, Catherine Hinton, Kelly Hirschl, Meta Hockersmith, Jon Hockersmith, Sherry Hockey, Jacqueline Holbrook, Dennis Holbrook, Patricia Holley, James Holley, Nancy Holman, Cliff Homan, Traci Hooten, Samantha House, Nancy Howard, Lizabeth Howard, William Howe, Joshua Hower, Katherine Huang, Andy Huffman, Crysol Hughes, Scott Hughes, Shane Hughes, Shannon Hunt, Cindy Huss, J. Hyde, Raymond Irwin, Brian Isham, Anne Iverson, Daniel Iverson, Richard Jackson, Harold Jackson, Neil Jackson, Phyllis Jacobs, Jacqueline Jacobus, Christie Jacobus, Jim James, Pete

Jansen, Joni Jaramillo, Dalia Jaramillo, Leon Jefferson, Connie Johnson, Cody Johnson, Kathryn Johnson, Nancy Johnston, Karla Johnston, Marshall Jonard II, Alex Jonard, Monica Jones, Frank Jones, Raymond Jordan, Blake Jordan, Janet Jordan, Janie Kaibetoney, Larry Kakde, Shriya Kaley, Judith Kamm, Sandra Kaniho, Peggy Kautzer, Jane Keating, Kayla Keaveny, Robert Keene, Phyllis Keifenheim, Karen Kelbe, Kim Kellerman, Natoria Kelly, Katherine Kennedy, Tracy Kenworthy, Tiffany Kessler, Debra Kessler, Dennis Kibler, Sara Kinnard, Carl Kinnard, Susan Kinney, Charlotte Kirkwood, Jon Kirkwood, Lyn Kiser, Willie Klock, Jaron Klock, Joshua Knowlton, Carol Knudsen, Sherilyn Kochicas, Denise Kohlasch, Jacquelin Komadina, M.D., Steve Koreski, Marie Koreski, Paul Koroluk, Diana Koroluk, Walter Kosmakos, Lynn Krask, Elizabeth Krebs, Mary Labarge, Susan Ladd, David Ladd, Karen LaFleur, Chris LaGrange, Catherine LaGrange, David Lam, Sally Lam, Wayne Lamb, Kathy Langheim, Jerry Larson, Linda LaRue, David LaRue, Debbie Lattanza, Billie Law, Brenda Lawrence, Jeff Lawson, John Lawson, Teri Layman, Andrew Lee, Bet Lee, Jon Lefevre, Randy Leonard, Shawn Leshner, Helen Lete, Cheryl Leung, David Levenson, Sandra

Levenson, Sherman Levine, Kathleen Lewis, John Lewis, Nancy Leyba, Dominic Liberti, Mike Lilley, Carolyn Lind, Ruth Lipford, Linda Lipford, Robin Lister, Deborah Little, Bruce Llewellyn, Butch Llewellyn, Lawrence Llewellyn, Michael Llewellyn, Will Lockridge, Donna Long, Sigrid Christine Loos, Rhonda Lopez, Cindy Louviere, Cheryl Louviere, Lonnie Lovato JR, Phillip N Lowrimore, Mike Lucero, Bob Lucero, Jack Luenenborg, Cathy Lujan, Judy Lujan, Rachael Luke, Victoria Lum, Brenda Luna, Jay Luna, Tammy Luster, Roberta Luster, Victor Lydick, Yvonne Lyons, Ana Lyons, Mike Lyons, Nadine Maes, Ted Maestas-Wimpy, Anthony Maestas-Wimpy, Michael Magnuson, Nels Maharaj, Amethyst Maradiaga, Benjamin Marciszewski, Dawn Marciszewski, Gary Marciszewski, Scott Marino, Jan Marsee, Erin Marsee, Joe Marsee, Reagan Marsee, Zack Marsh, Christopher Martel, Kenny Martin, Thomas Martinez, Alice Martinez, Emma Martinez, Felisha Martinez, Francisco Martinez, Ivy Martinez, Izela Martinez, Lawrence Martinez, Rose Martini, Cathy Marynik, Ed Marynik, Fran Mason, Tricia Massey, Lisa Massey, Richard Mata, Mina Mathena, Tara Mathews, Dave Maxwell, Nancy May, Rod May, Steven McArdle, Christine McCain, Phyllis McCarthy, Quinta

McClung, Glenda McClung, Shea McConaghy, Becca McConaghy, Suzanne McConahy, Kyle McConnell, M.D., Tom McCoy, Danny McCoy, Terry McCurdy, Donald McCurdy, Matthew McDermott, Diane McDermott, Shelly McGinnis, Shannon McGrath-Farmer, Cat McKenna, Lourdes McKinney, Martha McKown, Lora Mclaughlin, Michael McMichael, Kathleen McNally, Diane Meadows, Christina Medina, Barbara Medina, Loretta Medina, Naomi Medina, Paris Medrano, Sarah Mejia, Mercedes Melgaard, David Melgaard, Pam Melvin, Jennifer Melvin, Scott Mercier, Andie Merry, Lawrence Metz, Monty Meyer, Cathy Meyer, Richard Mezzancello, Frank Mezzancello, Patricia Michaelson, Dot Michaelson, Marc Mickelson, Holly Mickelson, Joe Micker, Pam Middleton, Frances Miehls, Laura Miller, April Miller, Cavell Miller, Marsha miller, mary Million, Carol Minch, Forrest Minch, Karen Miranda, Mairiene Miranda, Mike Mock, Diane Mock, Larry Moeller, Jeff Moeller, Melodee Moerch, Darrell Moerch, Marta Moldovan, Lia Molitor, Sheri Monaghan, Daniel Montana, Jan Montana, Jon Montana, Ruben Montelongo, Brenda Montez Jr., Jose Montgomery, Laura Montoya, Cyndi Moore, Brenna Moot, Donna Moran, Michael Moran, Norma Morgan, Denise Morgan, James Morgenstern, Howard Morgenstern, Judy Morrell Jr, Donald Morrison, Blair Morrow, Don

Morrow, Julie Morton, Karen Moughan, Jeanie Moulton, Katherine Mulder, Gillian Mulder, Glendora Mulder, James Mulder, Mackenzie Mulder, Matthew Murphy, Beth Murphy, Kelli Murray, Stephen Myrick, Cathy Nail, Alton (Rusty) Nakamura, Judy Naranjo, Johnny Nason, Marilee Neal, Tami Newberry, Lesa Noland, Alee Norris, Patti O'Connor, Dennis Oczon, Arnel Odom, Caitlin Oesterle, Shade Olave, Valeria Olewine, Anna Oliveira, Xenia Olson, Brenda Oranday, Melissa Ortega, Autumn Ortiz-Martinez, Tamarra Otero, Jordan Owen, Deborah Pack, James Pack, Linda Padilla, Brandi Padilla, Chris Padilla, Michael Padilla, Parker Pagliaro, Daniel Palmer, Benjamin H Palmer, Susan Panozzo, Denise Panozzo, Katrina Panozzo, Lawrence Pantages, Beverly Pape, Jay Parks, Winna Parmenter, Lydia Pasternacki, Linda Pattyn, Katrina Pearson, Sarah Peay, Aaron Peck, Jill Pena, Eric Pennel, Dean Pennel, Sonya Penner, Gloria Perea, Kat Perea, Manny Perez Perez, Yamile Perez, Jill Petersen, David Petersen, Jane Petersen, Sheila Petersen, Wes Phelps, Charles Philcox, Nigel Phillips, Katrin Phillips, Ron Pientka, Deanna Pienups, Boni Pine, Emily Pollock, Sherri Pope, Rick Pope, Susan Porter, Shannon Powell, Peggy Prendergast, Linda

Price, Dana Price, Kelly Prichard, Dale Prichard, Susan K Pringle, Edith Pringle, Rex Puettman, Linda Punyamurthula, Rushil Rafferty, Faye Rager, William (Bill) Ramirez, Gabriela Ramirez, Ricardo Ramirez, Sheila Ramirez-Castillo, Edgar Ramponi, Victor Randolf, Ron Raskob, Chuck Rathbun, Richard Rausch, Sandra Ravishankar, Tara Rebarchik, Joseph Reber, Cathy Reber, Stephen Reed, Terra Reese, Elizabeth Reetz, Larry Reid, Richard Reilly, Mary Renegar, Jeff Resner, Vickey Retana, Alexander Reyes, Andre Reyes, Edith Reyes, Pearl Reynolds, Barbara Reynolds, Debbie Reynolds, Kevin Reynolds, Lynda Reynolds, Michael Reynolds, Shylor Reynosa, Nancy Rheault, Paula Rhoads, Tina Rice, John Rice, Richard Richards, Haley Richards, Jay Richards, Rebecca Richards, Ursula Richardson, Char-Lynn Richardson, Luther Richter, Jayla Riddle, Douglas Riggs, Summer Rimac, Jürgen Ritchie, Pam Ritchie, Steve Robbins, Frank Roberts, Tara Robertson, Carol Robillard, Renee Robinson, Carol Robinson, Jerry Robinson, Paula Robinson, Richard Rocha, Dorothy Rockett, Randall Rodela, Alice Rodela, Diana Rodela, Rudy Roderick, Elaine Rodriguez, Guadalupe Rodriquez, Melanie Rogers - Alfa Roadrunner, Tom Rogers, Patricia Rogers, Sue Rogers, Susan Roller, Lorie Roller, Rachel Romanovska, Olga

Romero, Ray Romero, Stephanie Rose, Kelly Rosenbaum, Henry Rouse, Brent Rouse, Robert Rowan, Christopher Roybal, Janelle Roybal, Vin Rudy-Baese, Patricia Ann Runge, Sandra Runyan, Cathy Rush, Kirsten Ruskie, Stasia Rutz, Diana Rypma, Dave Rypma, Willy Sadler, Charles Sadler, Linda Sala, Dolores Salamon, Kathleen Salas, Yvonne Salazar, Alisia Samuels, Linda Sanchez, Alex Sanchez, Amanda Sanchez, Debbie Sanchez, Janet Sanchez, Jeffrey Sanchez, Linda Sanchez, Rebecca Sanchez, Samantha Sanchez, Virginia Sandberg, Caitlan Sandhu, Manpreet Sandoval, Michelle Sanford, Michelle Sanidad, Eli Sanidad, Jay Sanidad, Jose Sanidad, Mahaya Sanidad, Norma Santa Maria, Madonna Saul, Jeff Scarlett, Susan Schaefer, Karl Schick, Virginia Schrader, Cyan Schreurs, Cynthia Schroeder, George Schroeder, Jeanne Schroeder, Thomas Schrum, Nola Schult, Geneva Schulz, Daniel Schwalier, Ruth Schwebach, Doug Scoby, Grant Scott, Ronni Scroggie, Jaquelyn Season, Harry Sedall, Laurie Sedall, Paul Segura, Katherine Segura, Saul Seib, Mike Seigel, Judy Selman, Al Selman, Lori Sena, Antonette Sena, John Sena, Richard Sevier, Jeffrey Shaw, Adrienne Shaw, Brian Shemack, John Shockley, Katie Shockley, Steve Shoemaker, Russell Shoemaker, Susan

Sibayan, Joy Silva, Anna L Silva, Barbara Silva, Beverly Silva, Eddie Silva, Renay Simonis, Dave Simonis, Debra Skarlupka, Michele Skinner, Lia Smith, Dee Smith, Karen Ann Smith, Robert K Snitker, Chad Snitker, Geanie Sorensen, Cheryll Sorensen, Russ Spadafora, Thomas Spiger, RaeAnna Sponberg, JanaLee St John, Briseis St John, Sharon St John, Trey Staelgraeve, David Staelgraeve, Gina Stallworth, Tabitha Stanford, Candice Statton, Carl Stengle, Chris Stengle, Sharon Stevens, Hal Stevens, Tracy Stidham, Richard Stidham, Tammi Stone, Janette Stone, Orbin Storm, Diana Stringer, Debbie Stringer, Randy Strong, Angela Strong, Nathan Stroup, Della Stucker, John Stucker, Susan Suazo, Maya Suhr, Beth Suhr, Tim Sullens, David Sullivan, Lynn Sullivan, Mark Sullivan, Maury Sutherland, Sarah Jean Sutherland, Seth Suttle, Denise Suttle, James Suttle, Penny Tabone, Rick Tackett, Paul Tagart, Nicole Talbert, Catherine Tanguistengo, Pamela Tanner, Greg Tanner, Laurye Tanouye, Paul Tapia, Denise Tapia, Reyna Taylor, Betty Jane Taylor, Bre Taylor, Deborah Taylor, Ginny Taylor, Julie Taylor, Kathy Taylor, Michael Taylor, Renanah Taylor, Robert Taylor, Scott Taylor, Valari Teague, Debra Teigeler, Edward Temeyer, Brad Tetreault, Al

Thomas, Denis Thomas, Georgianna Thomas, Mike Thomas, Molly Thomas, Terri Thomason, Makahla Thompson, Linda Thornton, Rickey Thurik, Michelle Tillery, Lynn A Timbreza, Linda Tolar, Cindy Tolar, Danny Tomasov, Susan Torres, Richard Torres, Rosemary Trabue, Dennis Lee Trabue, Kate Tracey, Charles Trahan, Michael Traylor, Rebecca Trujillo, Austin Trujillo, Therese Tulenko, Carol Tuley, Roberta Tuohey, Sherry Turner, Renee Tvede, Cliff Tzamaloukas, Rolinda “Sam” Van Campen, John Van Campen, Susan Van Winkle, Grant VanHaverbeke, Mark VanHaverbeke, Mary Vanzura, Erin Vargas, Andrea Vazquez, Samantha Vazquez, Vanessa Vella, Mark Veloz, Laural Venable, Jeff Venable, Linda Vesely, Kimberley Vigil-Cottrell, Nancy Villarreal, Mary Ann Virgin, Laura Volker, David Volna, StaceyJo Volna, Tom Vonderheide, John Vos, Michael Vredeveld, Martha Vredeveld, Walter Wagner, Michael Wagstaff, Berta Walker, Bill Walker, Birgit Walker, Jim Wallace, Karen Wallace, Xavier Walsh, Jack Walters, William Wambold, Dylan Wambold, Lawrence Wampler, Barbara Wanatee, Clyde Wang, Benjamin Ward, Patrick Warner, Robert Waters, Larry Waters, Renee Watnik-Saul, Joy Watson, Charles Watson, Glenda Watts, Tunell Weber, Craig Welz, Caryn Welz-Garassino, Sharon Werner, Jennifer Werner, Phil

Wertz, Nancy West, Deb Wester, Rachel Weston, Beckie Weston, Erwin Wethington, Linda Wetsel, DeLynnda Wetsel, Marlynnda Whitaker, Doug Whitaker, Patricia White, Clayton White, John White, Leslie White, Mary Jo Whiteman, Kimberly Wiggins, Theresa Wilde, Joyce Wilkins, Mark Willbanks, Carolyn Williams, Kathleen Wills, Rachel Wiltse, Christie Wimpy, Halecia Wimpy, Stephen Wine, Karen Winn, Denise Winn, Dylan Winn, Mark Winn, Rachel Winsett, Judy Winsett, Mike Wise, Robert Wittmann, Catherine Wittmann, Mark Wolf, Jennifer Wood, Caroline Wood, Cinda Wood, James Wood, Philip Wood, Stephanie Woolcott, Jenifer Wormington, Buck Wrhel, Janice Wrons, Ralph Yacisin, Margaret (Peg) Young, Glenn Young, Leslie Young, Susan Young, Ty Zajac, Brendan Zamora, Jenifer Zamora, Loretta Zavakos, Petra Zavislak, Nancy Zavislak, Paul Zentner, Jr., F. Larry Zimmer, Jesse Zimmer, Rachel Zimmerman, Angelynn Zimmerman, Corey Zimmerman, Sierra Zink, Michael Zink, Nancy Zubia, Isaac Zucosky, Alex Zucosky, L. Jane & Thousands of Chase Crew members

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Irresistibly teed-up.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

La Fiesta de Los Globos The Balloon Fiesta

By Chelsea Valladeras

Son las 4 de la mañana Todos estan durmiendo Pero estás listo para ir a la fiesta del globo.

It is 4 in the morning Everyone is asleep But you’re up to go to the balloon fiesta

El aire es fresco y frío.

Tan frío que no puedes sentir tu cara Pero estás caliente de emoción Y estás energizado y listo para ver los globos.

Y luego los ves...

Cientos de globos todos juntos Todo empacado como sardinas cada uno diferente Cada uno único y especial. cada uno es una obra de arte

The air is fresh and cold So cold you can’t feel your face But you are hot with excitement And you are energized and ready to see the balloons And then you see them…

Hundreds of balloons all together All packed like sardines Each one different Each one unique and special Each one is a work of art

El fuego de los globos ilumina el cielo oscuro.

Los colores cobran vida bajo el fuego.

The fire from the balloons brightens the dark sky The colors come to life under the fire

A medida que el sol comienza a salir, También los globos

As the sun begins to rise, So do the balloons

Llenan el cielo azul como estrellas en la noche Los colores vibrantes parecen confeti en el cielo.

Flotan hasta que llegan tan lejos Hasta que se vuelven tan pequeños que casi desaparecen.

They fill the blue sky like stars at night The vibrant colors look like confetti in the sky They float until they get so far away Until they become so small they almost disappear

Miras al cielo y no parece real parece una pintura parece una escena de una pelicula

You look at the sky and it doesn’t look real It looks like a painting It looks like a scene from a movie

Te sorprende la belleza de los globos. es una experiencia fascinante una experiencia maravillosa Una experiencia impresionante

You are amazed at the beauty of the balloons It’s a fascinating experience A marvelous experience An impressive experience

Y no quieres que termine no quieres irte Solo esperas poder volver para experimentar la magia una vez más.

And you don’t want it to end You don’t want to leave You just hope that you can come back again to experience the magic one more time

Grand Canyon University student Chelsea Valladeres’ annual trips to the Balloon Fiesta inspired her to write this poem for a Spanish class; it received an award from the university’s Spanish Department. Sadly, Chelsea lost her life earlier this year.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Balloon Faces of Balloon Fiesta

By Tom McConnell

The first balloon Sid and Bill Cutter owned was Betsy Ross, 1951R, (later called Union Gas

by Maxie Anderson and Ben Abruzzo, who purchased it from Cutter Aviation in 1972) which was purchased from Raven Industries in April 1971 for a party to be held in the Cutter Aviation hangar in Albuquerque.

This was a birthday party for Sid and Bill’s Mom Virginia Cutter, and also to celebrate 42 years in the aviation business. Betsy Ross became the figurehead balloon for what later would be called the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

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Betsy Ross was taken to Phoenix by Bill Cutter in the summer or fall of 1971, so Sid needed another balloon. This became Roadrunner I (1954R) and was the central training balloon for the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA), the balloon club Sid created in 1972.

Roadrunner I became the face of AAAA.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Roadrunner II ( 1979R) was the next balloon Sid purchased (which we early balloonists called The Big One or Sid’s 105). This Raven Industries balloon became the next face of Balloon Fiesta. On the throat of the balloon Sid had written “Albuquerque International CoyoteRoadrunner Balloon Fiesta.” This was the 1973 Balloon Fiesta (the second Balloon Fiesta, which thereafter was called the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta) and First World Hot-Air Balloon Championship race.

PHOTO: TOM McCONNELL

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

PHOTO: DICK BROWN

PHOTO: DICK BROWN

Thousands of hot air balloons have flown in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® over the years, all beautiful, many unique and creative. But through the years, some became especially identified with the event, as Balloon Fiesta historian Tom McConnell recounts

Also in mid-1973, another iconic balloon appeared.

This was Zia, patterned after the New Mexico state flag, a balloon owned and flown by two students of Sid Cutter from the AAAA, Don Barz and Tom McConnell

In 1978, balloonists Bob Ruppenthal designed and Darryl Gunter built an experimental balloon they called Fiesta. This balloon was recently rebuilt using some of the original components and has appeared at Balloon Fiesta. Some years later, a group of AIBF Board members pooled their resources and built the first of a series of official AIBF balloons, also called Fiesta. These balloons became the face of AIBF for many years.

PHOTO: SCOTT HUGHES

PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

PHOTO: TOM McCONNELL

In 1976, Sid introduced the World Balloon, the flagship balloon of Sid Cutter’s and Tom Rutherford’s new ballooning corporation, World Balloon Championships. Sid went on to produce and fly five of these balloons, to promote his new company.

Then, in 2021, the AIBF Director of Operations Sam Parks, came up with a new proposal: build a balloon at Balloon Fiesta in nine days that would be the newest figure-head balloon for AIBF. This balloon, Fiesta Gold, was and is intended to fly around the USA and the world to commemorate and to herald the coming of the 50th anniversary of Balloon Fiesta, which would occur in October 2022.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

The Chase Crew Don’t Leave Home Without Them!

Reprinted from the 2007 Balloon Fiesta Program

B

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

alloon flight is a team sport. Pilots of very small balloons can sometimes unpack them, inflate them, fly them, pack them up, and get back to the launch site by hitching a ride, but even with small balloons the job is easier with help. With larger balloons, help is pretty much a necessity. The people who help are called the chase crew, because one of their functions is to “chase” the balloon when it is in flight.

Hundreds of people volunteer to crew for pilots at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® through the Balloon Fiesta’s Web site, office, and on-field chase crew booth. The actual number of crew members is much higher, because most pilots in the Albuquerque area already have a large local chase crew and many out-oftown pilots bring some of their regular crew members with them.

Being on a chase crew is one of the best ways to learn about ballooning. Most balloon pilots got their start in ballooning on chase crews. But more than that, being a balloon crew member is like being part of a family.

Friendships among pilots and crew members often outlast their involvement in ballooning and are one of the most special parts of the ballooning experience.

What does a crew do?

Hot-air balloons are inflated while lying on their sides.

The pilot and crew lay the basket on its side and connect the burner and envelope to the basket. They then use a large fan to blow air into the throat of the balloon, filling it with cold air. Two crew members hold the throat of the balloon open and a third tends the fan.

When the envelope is full of cold air, the pilot turns on the burner and begins to add heat. As the temperature of the air in the envelope gets hot enough, the envelope will rise to an upright position, pulling the basket upright with it. A crew member at the top of the balloon uses a long rope, called a crownline, to control the rate at which the envelope swings upright.

Once the balloon launches, the ground crew becomes the “chase crew.” Balloons use winds blowing in different directions at different altitudes to “steer.” Most of the time, the wind direction doesn’t allow the pilot to land the balloon where it took off. So the crew “chases” the balloon, trying to anticipate where the pilot will land so they can be there to contact landowners if necessary and to assist with the landing. Of course, the pilot can land and deflate the balloon without help if the crew is unable to get to the pilot in time. The crew then helps the pilot to

Left: Pilot Barbara Fricke uses the burner to put heat into the envelope as crew member Sue Palmer keeps the fabric away from the burner.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

PHOTO: VICTOR BANTA

PHOTO: VICTOR BANTA

pack the balloon back in its bag and load the equipment back in the trailer or on the chase truck.

The Balloon Fiesta recruits crew for pilots throughout the event, and those interested can come to the chase crew booth at the south end of Balloon Fiesta Park.

Balloonists fly year-round in Albuquerque and often can use extra help. One way people can learn about ballooning and crewing is through the local balloon club, the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Ascension (AAAA) at hotairballooning.org.

PHOTO: KIM KIM VESELY VESELY PHOTO:

PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

Top: This chase team is ready to “weigh off” the balloon when given the launch director’s “thumbs up.”

Above: Packing the balloon at the end of the flight.

Right: On the chase!

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Celebrate Balloon Fiesta ... All Year Long 50 Years of Balloon Magic A very special commemorative book celebrating the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

The magic of Albuquerque’s aeronautical legacy springs from 224 pages – a testament to a city in love with balloons. And floating off the pages are 305 spectacular photos – a kaleidoscope of color, an armada of vibrant nylon, punctuated by a sprinkling of uplifting prose. Published by Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. Hardcover $49.95.

Available at the Balloon Fiesta Office, online at www.balloonfiestastuff.com, merchandise tents during the Fiesta, and at select stores near you.

Celebrate Balloon Fiesta ®

... All Year Long New Children’s book by award-winning author/artist Ross Van Dusen

Award-Winner 2022 NM-AZ Book Awards

At official merchandise tents during Balloon Fiesta®, Balloon Fiesta Gift Shop, and at select stores near you.

www.BalloonFiestaStuff.com or 505/269-8324

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

The 25th America’s Challenge

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

25th America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race Participants

180

HOMER

Andy Cayton, United States

Krzysztof Zapart, Poland

FOXTROT CHARLIE

Peter Cuneo, United States

Barbara Fricke, United States

INTREPID

Brian Duncan, United States

Brenda Cowlishaw. United States

WARSTEINER

Wilhelm Eimers, Germany

Sebastian Eimers, Germany

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

SAILER

Max Michels, Germany

Andreas Michels, Germany

MARIE MARVINGT

Benoît Pelard, France

Benoît Péterlé, France

WARSTEINER

Mark Sullivan, United States

Cheri White. United States

SKYLINE LUFTFAHRT

Wuzi Wagner, Austria

Stefanie Liller, Germany

ZURICH

Balthasar Wicki, Switzerland

Benni Eimers, Germany

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Gas Committee/America’s Challenge Officials Chair, AIBF Gas Balloon Committee......................Mark Sullivan AIBF Director of Operations...................................Sam Parks America’s Challenge Event Director .....................Sam Parks Assistant Director ..................................................John Petrehn Launch Master .......................................................Tomas Hora Safety Officers/Ground Testing ..............................Wally Book ..............................Chuck Raskob Safety Officers .......................................................Roger Clark .......................................................Mike Garcia Meteorologists ......................................................Randy Lefevre ......................................................Brad Temeyer Tracking Equipment ...............................................Marc Andre ...............................................Harris Goodwin

Command Center Director ....................................Ruth Lind Command Center Staff..........................................Ben Anello ..........................................Jon Ashworth ..........................................Jeff Davis ..........................................Guy Feltman ..........................................Richard Iverson ..........................................Chris LaFleur ..........................................Carolyn Lilley ..........................................Cliff Tvede Scoring Officer ......................................................Jim Byrd Jury President .......................................................Andy Baird Jury Members .......................................................Ken Draughn .......................................................Tarp Head Media Liaison........................................................Kim Vesely Field Preparation ...................................................Damian Duran-Arias Hospitality .............................................................Dodie Bernal

America’s Challenge Winners YEAR

PILOT

1995 Richard Abruzzo

CO-PILOT

COUNTRY

David Melton

USA

DISTANCE KM

DISTANCE MILES

DURATION HOURS

2241.9

1393

60.2 38.1

1996 David Levin

Alan Levin

USA

706.6

439.1

1997 Richard Abruzzo

Jacob Traub

USA

1465.3

910.5

45.7

1998 Troy Bradley

Tami Stevenson-Bradley

USA

2234.9

1388.8

58.8

Alan Levin

USA

3215.5

1998.1

64.1

America’s Challenge Records

1999 Race not held 2000 David Levin 2001 Peter Cuneo

Barbara Fricke

USA

2095.6

1302.2

58.4

2002 Richard Abruzzo

Gary Johnson

USA

2797.08

1738.11

43.13

2003 Richard Abruzzo

Carol Rymer Davis

USA

1787.72

1110.89

63.23

2004 Richard Abruzzo

Gary Johnson

USA

984.23

611.6

35.97

2005 Janet Folkes

Bill Arras

UK / USA

2407.28

1495.81

46.14

2006 Andy Cayton

Kevin Knapp

USA

2380.99

1479.48

60.45

2007 Andy Cayton

Stuart Enloe

USA

1698.21

1052.89

61.5

2008 Mark Sullivan

Cheri White

USA

1419.76

880.25

68.58

USA

2175.86

1349.03

58.16

UK

1538.66

953.97

71.51

2009 Race cancelled due to high winds 2010 Barbara Fricke

Peter Cuneo

2011 David Hempleman-Adams Jonathan Mason

DISTANCE: Nicolas Tièche and Laurent Sciboz, Switzerland, 3670.76 km /2275.87 miles (2017) DURATION: David Hempelman-Adams and Jonathan Mason, UK, 71 hours, 31 minutes (2011)

MULTIPLE WINNERS: Richard Abruzzo: five wins: 1995 with David Melton, 1997 with Jacob Traub, 2002 and 2004 with Gary Johnson, 2003 with Carol Rymer Davis

2012 Mark Sullivan

Cheri White

USA

2623.33

1626.46

62.3

2013 Peter Cuneo

Barbara Fricke

USA

2299.79

1425.87

60.4

2014 Anulfo González

Angel Aguirre

Spain

1914.3

1186.87

53.33

Andy Cayton: three wins: (2006, 2007, 2019) David Levin and Alan Levin: two wins (1996 and 2000)

2015 Race cancelled due to weather conditions 2016 Peter Cuneo

Barbara Fricke

USA

1394.96

864.88

54.65

2017 Nicolas Tièche

Laurent Sciboz

Switzerland 3670.76

2275.87

59.32

2018 No event 2019 Andy Cayton

Krzysztof Zapart

USA/Poland 2598.61

1611.14

58.20

356.20

36.33

2020 Race not held due to the pandemic 2021 Noah Forden

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Bert Padelt

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

USA

573.25

Peter Cuneo and Barbara Fricke: four wins (2001, 2010, 2013, 2016)

Mark Sullivan and Cheri White: two wins (2008 and 2012)

MAKING AN

indelible contribution to the game isn’t easy. It’s not simply delivering scores or stories or sensationalism. It’s achieved only by being a trusted authority and a tireless champion of the game. It’s having a decades-long narrative underscored by quality, credibility and, above all else, authenticity.

Anybody can have a story, but Golfweek has a legacy.

And it’s one that we continue to write every day.

AUTHENTICITY is our legacy. What will yours be? #MyGolfLegacy

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

The Making of the America's Challenge

BY MARK SULLIVAN The world’s gas balloonists have two opportunities each year to “go the distance” in gas ballooning competition in large part because American competitor Mark Sullivan saw the potential for holding an annual race in the United States. He has competed in more gas balloon distance competitions than any balloonist in history (46 so far). With his flying partner Cheri White, he is a two-time America’s Challenge champion and has finished as high as second in the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, the gas ballooning world distance championships.

Mark has competed in more gas balloon distance competitions than any balloonist in history (46 so far). With his flying partner Cheri White, Mark is a two-time America’s Challenge champion and has finished as high as second in the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, the gas ballooning world distance championships. Learn more about Mark on the America’s Challenge page on the Balloon Fiesta website.

In the mid-1980s, gas ballooning at events in the United States was much different than what we see at the America’s Challenge. Gas balloon races around the country always consisted of races to a target, which could be intersections of two roads, or runways of minor airports that pilots had to navigate to. Pilots who scored the highest would qualify for the World Gas Balloon Championship and the Gordon Bennett.

Most gas competitions were short races compared to the huge distances flown at America’s Challenge and the modern Gordon Bennett. Most flights would take off in the afternoon and the balloons would land the next day.

I never liked deflating after such short flights, especially when a “fill” of helium cost around $1,500.00 or about $4,000.00 in today’s dollars. If you could get a fill of

helium today it would cost $15,000.00 and hydrogen now costs $3,500.00 per fill.

Up until hydrogen was introduced as a lifting gas at the 2000 America’s Challenge, helium was the gas used in all gas balloon competitions in the United States. In Europe, balloonists have used hydrogen for decades.

If you go back to the very early Gordon Bennett races starting in 1906, they used coal gas.

To justify my expensive hobby, I always divided the hours flown by the cost of the flight. So if you flew long enough the cost would work out about the same per hour as a hot air flight. Anyway, this thought process helped ease the painfully high cost of flying gas balloons!

The modern Gordon Bennett started back up in 1983, and from 1983 through 1994 only 28 flights went

Opposite: Teams prepare to race to a target in the first gas ballooning competition held at Balloon Fiesta (1981)

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PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

Left: Mark Sullivan and flying partner Cheri White, ready to launch in the 2013 America’s Challenge.

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

Below: The America’s Challenge is go for launch (2019).

PHOTO: VICTOR BANTA

through a second night. Half of Europe was behind the Iron Curtain, and even when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 getting into some of these countries was not easy.

The American team of David Levin and James Herschend won the Gordon Bennett in 1992. This gave the United States the right to host the Gordon Bennett in 1993. I talked the Balloon Fiesta Board into submitting a bid to the Balloon Federation of America to host the event. I was selected as the Gordon Bennett Event Director and was placed in charge of organizing it. This was the first time the United States had hosted a Gordon Bennett since 1933, when the race was held in Chicago Il. Since 1993, the Gordon Bennett has launched at the Balloon Fiesta three times, in 1999, 2005, and 2008.

Twenty balloons from nine countries entered the 1993 Albuquerque Gordon Bennett race. Josef Starkbaum and Rainer Rohsler from Austria won the event with a distance of 1832 km (1,138 miles).

This was Starkbaum’s sixth Gordon Bennett victory and his longest gas balloon flight.

Josef’s three-night flight is what convinced me that Albuquerque was the place to fly distance in gas balloons and is why the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race was started.

I was very pleased the Balloon Fiesta Board unanimously supported my idea of holding the America’s Challenge starting in 1995. We had already been granted an FAI (World Air Federation) sanction to host the Eighth World Gas

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Balloon Championship in 1994. So, our new event to prove Albuquerque was the place to “Go the Distance” would have to wait one more year.

Since the America’s Challenge started in 1995, pilots flying in our event have achieved the majority of distance flights recognized by the FAI Ballooning Commission statistics on Notable Flights. The longest flight ever achieved in a Gordon Bennett race since the event started in 1906 was flown out of Albuquerque by Bob Berben and BenoÎt Siméons of Belgium for a distance of 3400 km (2,112 miles) to Squatec, Quebec, Canada. The longest flight in the America’s Challenge was by Nicolas Tièche and Laurent Sciboz of Switzerland for a distance of 3670 km (2,280 miles), with a landing near Labrador City, Labrador.

Pilots who have flown out of Albuquerque in the America’s Challenge and the four Gordon Bennetts we organized have flown a staggering 97 two night flights, 43 three night flights and 4 four night flights.

This will be our 25th America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race this year. There have been so many great adventures and stories over the years. I am very proud to have been part of such a successful Balloon Fiesta event.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Epic Flights for the Record Books

BY MARK SULLIVAN

O

n a hot August weekend morning in 1978, a small plane landed at Albuquerque International Airport.

An enthusiastic posse of friends and family and a phalanx of reporters stood on the tarmac – you could do that back then -- ready to greet Sid Cutter, the newly-crowned National Hot Air Balloon Champion.

At the same moment, three businessmen from Albuquerque huddled in a homebuilt fiberglass gondola underneath a gigantic silver and black gas balloon. In just a few days, they would make history and become international heroes, the first pilots to successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean by balloon, setting several world records in the process. Their attempt succeeded where more than a dozen had failed, with five people dying in the attempt.

It was one of the headiest, most historic weeks in the history of ballooning, and Albuquerque was right at the center of it. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta –only in its seventh year – even then was the town square of world ballooning, getting national media coverage and attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. No wonder the Duke City was rapidly becoming known as the “Balloon Capital of the World.”

The media frenzy surrounding the success of the

Double Eagle II transatlantic flight only enhanced Albuquerque’s reputation as ballooning’s Mecca. In a world starved for good news, the arrival of the balloon and its pilots, Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman, in France was the lead story on all the national newscasts and made the covers of the major news magazines. Their Albuquerque connection didn’t escape notice. For their coverage, one of the TV stations tracked down Sid Cutter and his colleague, the world hot-air champion Paul Woessner, at the airport. Sid’s comment? “Maybe they’ll figure out that New Mexico is actually in the Union.”

Abruzzo and Anderson – flying together and separately – are still two of the most renowned of Albuquerque’s great ballooning adventurers. They almost died in an epic storm during their first attempt to cross the Atlantic, in 1977, before finally making it to Europe the next year. Both went on to achieve other great firsts: Anderson, with his son Kris, completed the first non-stop transcontinental balloon flight, and Abruzzo, with Newman, Ron Clark, and Rocky Aoki, were the first persons to cross the Pacific by balloon. Anderson made the first serious attempts to fly non-stop around the world, but the technology at the time was not far enough advanced to support his ambition and dreams. Both Anderson and Abruzzo were to die in separate aviation accidents in

Above: Double Eagle II over the Atlantic. Photo courtesy of the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

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PHOTO: KIM VESELY PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

PHOTO: TAMI BRADLEY

the 1980s; their legacy lives on in the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.

Other Albuquerque pilots were setting records of their own. Richard Abruzzo and Troy Bradley are among those holding multiple world records for distance and duration in various types of balloons. As far back as 1977, Sue Hazlett flew to 28,258 ft (8,613 m) to establish a women’s altitude record. This was bested, about two years later, by the late Carol Rymer Davis, who for many years held the absolute women’s hot air balloon altitude record at 31,500 feet (9,601m), and at one time held all three records — altitude, distance, and duration — for 42,000 cu. ft. hot air balloons.

Arguably the most decorated female balloonist of all time, Davis is the only woman to date to win (with Richard Abruzzo) the world’s oldest air race, the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett.

She was also the recipient of several prizes awarded for performance in any form of aviation (not just ballooning).

The tradition of spanning oceans and setting records continued into the 21st century with the Two Eagles trans-Pacific crossing from Japan to Baja California.

On January 24, 2015 (January 25 in Japan), Albuquerque’s Troy Bradley and Russian Leonid Tiukhtyaev launched their 350,000 cu. ft (10,000 cubic meter) balloon, Two Eagles, at Saga, Japan.

After travelling 6,646 miles (10,696 km) in six days and 16 hours, exhausted and triumphant, they landed just off the coast of Baja California, near Las Pozas. Their flight established new absolute distance and duration records for straight gas balloons.

What motivates these ballooning over-achievers – the record-setters, the teams who span oceans and continents, the Gordon Bennett and America’s Challenge champions – to pursue these dreams?

Bradley and Tiukhtyaev, like many others, talked about the desire to test their capabilities and to push themselves farther than they or any other person has gone before. Most cite the satisfaction of carefully planning their flights, and of bringing together the best teams in the world to achieve their goals. And there are other, more personal motivations. Carol Davis, who like many balloonists had a fear of heights, said she wanted to learn about flying high. And then she added, “and to be in a record book with Lindbergh.”

Top left: Abruzzo and Anderson snatching a nap late in the Double Eagle II flight. Photo courtesy of the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum Top right: Carol Rymer Davis (right) at the 2007 America’s Challenge. Center: Two Eagles pilots Troy Bradley and Leonid Tiukhtyaev

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Early Fiesta

Gas Ballooning

BY JOHN C. DAVIS, IV, CHAIRMAN, AIBF HERITAGE COMMITTEE Reprinted from the 2004 Balloon Fiesta program

beginning.

The first Balloon Fiesta gas flight was made in the event’s second year, in 1973, at the end of the First World Championships. Ed Yost, the Clerk of the Course for the Championships (the rough equivalent of Balloonmeister), made a gas balloon flight on the final Sunday. Ed had brought a polyethylene balloon with him and offered rides to six other people for $1,000 apiece. After a flight from the State Fairgrounds – at that time, the Balloon Fiesta’s launch site -- the balloon was cut up into pieces and sold to the spectators for $ .50 each. In 1975, during the Second World Championships, German aeronaut “Jo Jo” Maes flew a gas balloon from the Simms Field launch site.

After that, the Balloon Fiesta took a break from gas ballooning until October of 1981. With a resurgence of gas balloon flying in the US, the Balloon Fiesta decided to sponsor a gas balloon race that would be part of the BFA National Championship Series. The competition, a Hare and Hound, was scheduled to take off on Tuesday, 6 October, but was delayed by weather until Wednesday. That afternoon 16 balloons followed the Hare balloon, Dame Blanche, piloted by Event Director John Davis, Carol Rymer Davis and

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

T

he Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is known principally as a hot air balloon event. However, in recent years its long-distance gas balloon races have gained growing fame, prestige, and popularity.

Although the first America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons wasn’t held until 1995, gas balloon races and exhibitions have been a part of the Balloon Fiesta almost since its

ABOVE: “Jo Jo” Maes takes off from Simms Field in 1975, the Balloon Fiesta’s second gas balloon flight.

Opposite: The first gas balloon competition at Balloon Fiesta, in 1981.

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PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

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PHOTO: KIM VESELY

Above: Carol Davis, center, consults with her crew chief, Fran Tschida (on the left) during inflation; article author John Davis is in white behind Fran.

Right: Preparing the netted gas balloons that predominated in the 1980s for launch required a large crew and was a lengthy, physically demanding process.

Scoring Officer Nick Saum. The goal of the competition was to land as close to the Hare balloon as possible.

After a fourteen-hour flight, the Hare landed near Ulysses, Kansas. The winning balloon Chicago, piloted

by Dean Stellas and John Rippinger, landed seven miles away.

The landings were interesting, and there was some excitement during the takeoff when the balloon flown

by Maxie Anderson and Don Ida tried to fly through the balloon of Herb Wilcox and Fred Hyde. No harm was done and both balloons were able to fly.

1982’s race, again a BFA sanctioned event, allowed the pilots to pick one of four targets: Clayton and Glen Rio in New Mexico and Littlefield and Amarillo in Texas. There were only eleven balloons entered because the Fiesta immediately followed the Gas World Championships which had been held in Switzerland. The race ended with the teams of Herb Wilcox and Fred Hyde, and John Shoecraft and Fred Gorrell, tied for first. Both balloons landed 2.3 miles from the Clayton Airport. Of note was the last place flight of Nikki Caplan and Jane Buckles who landed in Iowa, claiming a World Record for Distance.

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PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

Above: This photo shows the contrast between the traditional netted balloons and Dame Blanche, one of the earliest of the “quick fill” balloons that now predominate in America.

The 1983 event was again a part of the BFA National Championship Series. This race consisted of a Race to a Line and a Race to a Point. The lines were state boundaries and the points were towns on or very near these lines. Fourteen balloons took off on Sunday, 3 October, from Cutter Field and landed in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. The winner was John Shoecraft who landed in Texola, OK.

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

With four U.S. balloons in Zurich competing in the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, the world’s oldest air race, the 1984 race had only three entries.

The BFA task for the balloons was a Judge Declared Goal. After a delay because officials were worried that the balloons might fly into White Sands Missile Range, the balloons took off on Monday, 8 October. The winner was the team of Jim Schiller and Randy Woods, with a landing near Borger, TX. Weather became the chief feature of the 1985 race. The five balloons were to compete in the now familiar Race to a Line and Race to a Goal. Shortly after takeoff they all encountered snow which added to the complexity of the flight. There were some interesting landings including one on the side of Pecos Baldy northeast of Santa Fe. There were no injuries, but some pilots came back with great stories. The winner was the late Fred Hyde, with a landing near Elliott, KS. Weather again played havoc with the 1986 race.

By the time the race took place on Tuesday morning the entry list was down to five balloons who were to compete in a Multiple Judge Declared Goal and Distance event. The winners were Jaques Soukup and Mark Sullivan with a flight to Galisteo, NM. The seventh and last of the early Balloon Fiesta Gas Balloon Races took place on 8 October, 1987. Again, the Gordon Bennett, scheduled at the same time in Austria, siphoned off many potential competitors. Only one balloon flew, and George Hahn was awarded 3rd place for that flight.

With the rising expense of flying gas balloons and no sponsor in sight, the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors decided to discontinue the annual Gas Balloon Race.

It would not be until the 1990s that gas ballooning returned to the Balloon Fiesta. In 1993, Albuquerque and Balloon Fiesta played host to the Gordon Bennett (it would do so again in 1999, 2005, and 2008), and in 1994 to the World Gas Balloon Championships. The success of these events inspired the creation of the Balloon Fiesta’s own gas balloon distance race — the America’s Challenge.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

HOW A GAS BALLOON

WORKS

By Kim Vesely

Adapted from the 2007 Balloon Fiesta program

T

he gas balloons used in the America’s Challenge are in some ways similar to, and in others very different from, the hot air balloons spectators see during most of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Like hot air balloons, gas balloons have an envelope, or gas cell, to hold the lifting gas that keeps the balloon aloft. The balloon also has a basket or gondola which holds the passengers and everything they need to navigate and survive for two or three days aloft. The basket is most frequently made of wicker, but in order to save weight some teams build lightweight baskets using aluminum or composite frames and fabric panels. Distance gas ballooning is a sport where every ounce can make a difference in how long and far the balloon flies.

For lift, gas balloons use hydrogen, helium or other gases that are lighter than ambient air in their natural, unheated state. Almost all gas balloons today use hydrogen, as helium has become prohibitively scarce and expensive. The balloon systems are conductive in order to disperse any static electricity that might develop and spark a fire.

Gas balloon envelopes are made of non-porous materials to keep the loss of gas to a minimum. The balloon is attached to a circular load ring via a series of ropes or cords, or on some models load tapes that are similar to those found on hot-air balloons. The envelope and load ring are then attached to the basket by a series of ropes and toggles or carabiners.

Just as with any type of balloon, pilots “steer” gas

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Above: Four-time champion Peter Cuneo launches in the 2017 America’s Challenge. Note the maneuvering and deflation lines attached to the load ring, the sandbags (blue) and gear tied to the side of the basket, and the trail rope used during landing. Photo by Missi Leonard.

balloons by going up and down to find winds going in the direction they want to go. But in gas balloons, teams must fly several days with only the resources they launch with – they can’t land at the nearest 7-11 for gas, snacks, and bathroom breaks! So they use the natural heating and cooling cycles that occur every day to maneuver.

In the morning, when the sun comes up, it heats the gas inside the balloon. As the gas gets warmer it

PHOTO BY PAUL DEBERJEOIS

Above: Mark Sullivan and Cheri White enroute to victory in the 2012 America’s Challenge.

expands, and the balloon gains altitude – and the pilots, who’ve been shivering all night in the cold, are thrilled that they can warm up. A free ride to altitude, the warmth of the sun – life is good!

However, as the sun sets and the gas cools and contracts, the balloon loses altitude. The pilots must then compensate for the loss of lift by getting rid of weight to make the balloon lighter. To facilitate this, the balloon carries disposable weight, or “ballast,” that can be tossed overboard (over open areas) specifically for this purpose. The most common form of ballast is sand, carried on the side of the basket in bags. Teams also carry jugs of water that double as ballast and drinking water. But in critical situations where pilots have to get rid of weight in a hurry, anything in the basket that has weight can be used as ballast – equipment, clothes, food.

When Blanchard and Jeffries made the first crossing of the English Channel by gas balloon in the late 1700s, they famously landed in their underwear.

The pilots can also make the balloon descend by releasing gas from the balloon through a valve at the

top of the envelope: small amounts for maneuvering to lose altitude, or large amounts to deflate the balloon at the end of the flight. Pilots open the valve by pulling on a rope or line that extends into the basket. Some gas balloons also have separate deflation ports that are opened at the end of the flight to deflate the balloon more quickly. But teams try to keep ballasting sand and releasing gas to a minimum. Gas and sand are a gas balloon’s “fuel,” and the teams that can most effectively conserve both can fly longer and -- usually – farther in order to win the race.

As they fly across the country, the balloonists must maintain contact with air traffic controllers in the areas they cross. They carry transponders, radios, night lighting, and other instrumentation, as well as GPSbased trackers that transmit position data to the race Command Center. This data is linked to the Balloon Fiesta Web site and the YB Tracking app so spectators can track the progress of the race.

Since gas flights often cover hundreds or even thousands of miles, getting timely, accurate weather data is not only crucial, it can be a matter of safety and survival. Pilots get weather data through the usual aviation flight service channels, but almost all also employ meteorologists who provide advice about weather and race strategy. A handful of meteorologists around the world specialize in forecasting trajectories for long-distance scientific and manned balloon flights and are valued members of the race teams. Some teams also have their own team “command centers,” with specialists who analyze weather and data, advise the pilots on strategy, and support the team’s chase crew.

Finally, the balloons must carry everything the pilots need for their safety and comfort during a flight that can last 60 hours or more. This includes food, (though most pilots say they don’t tend to eat much while aloft), water, layered clothing including heavy jackets and parkas, music, reading material for those rare moments when they aren’t busy, maps and logbooks, and – you were waiting for this, weren’t you? – a porta-pottie or some equivalent.

When it is time to land, the pilot deploys a “trail rope” – a long, heavy rope that “trails” on the ground. The rope acts as a form of retractable ballast and also helps to slow the balloon on landing.

Gas ballooning in a race like the America’s Challenge is an endeavor for the skilled and adventurous. Sitting aloft in a balloon for two or three days is not for everyone and can be, as the saying goes, hours of relative boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror. That said, gas balloonists tell of wonderful days and evenings aloft, cruising in silence except for the sounds wafting upward from the earth. They see America in a way few people can – from a slow-moving platform suspended over an ever-changing landscape. It is a truly unique and special experience undertaken by a unique and special breed of balloonist: the America’s Challenge competitor.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Perspectives from the America’s Challenge

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F

rom the very first time they let go of the string attached to a party balloon, children imagine what it would be like to soar aloft with it. Balloonists probably come closer than anyone else to being able to answer that question. And gas balloon pilots, who see the vastness of the world slowly unfold below them mile after mile, hour after hour, may know best of all.

Perhaps this is the fascination of the America’s Challenge. What is it like to live for days suspended thousands of feet above the ground in a basket the size of a broom closet? What do the teams see, hear, and experience? Why do they do it? And why is it worth it?

It turns out that flying the America’s Challenge is as much about the journey as the result. The extraordinary ordinary people who test their skills and endurance in trying to achieve the greatest distance savor the friendships they’ve made, the people they meet, the challenge of competition and surviving aloft, and above all, the small moments – the sunrises and sunsets, a coyote’s howl, the vast panorama passing below, the billions of stars visible in the night sky.

What is it like? Here are some things the America’s Challenge teams have told us through the past 25 years: PHOTO: NOAH FORDEN PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

“I love the aspect that with every balloon launch, you have only a rudimentary idea of where you are going and no idea of who you might meet when you land.”

Noah Forden, U.S., 2021 America’s Challenge champion

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Cheri White, U.S., 2008 and 2012 America’s Challenge Champion

“Launch for these big races is always a magical moment. You are speeding all afternoon, trying to get everything in order, not to forget anything, and then you are all set and you wait quietly for your turn trying to look so cool when the adrenaline is flowing at 100 mph in your veins…”

BenoÎt Pelard, France, Four-time America’s Challenge competitor (third in 2019)

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PHOTO: CHERI WHITE

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

PHOTO: MISSI LEONARD

PHOTO: CHERI WHITE

“We love the adventure of being able to fly across the United States . . . We love the America’s Challenge because it is fun to fly with other teams and the excitement of doing it during Fiesta.”

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

“Friends call out hasty and heartfelt goodbyes, there are handshakes and hugs, and … finally we are airborne. The emotions are multiple and intense, a great relief at being in the air combined with a feeling of enhanced awareness, a mental listening for any sign of problems with the balloon.”

Peter Cuneo and Barbara Fricke, four-time America’s Challenge champions (2001, 2010, 2013, 2016)

“We've never experienced a take-off of this magnitude, so many balloons, it's only a few hundred feet from the ground that we understand that we are part of the world's biggest aerostatic festival.”

Laurent Sciboz, Switzerland, 2017 America’s Challenge champion

PHOTO: CHERI WHITE

“The launch was like a blur to me, incredibly fast paced, and also very beautiful, moving and incredibly emotional. Launching a balloon at night and flying into darkness near mountains is a bit unnerving - to say the least - and tends to focus the mind.”

Noah Forden

“As the sun came up, we found ourselves near Clovis, NM listening to the coyote howl. Musical and haunting. Things like this are the “treats” of gas flying. So cool to hear and we wondered if they were howling at us or each other … The sun curtains came out, the sun set, the curtains came down and became blankets for our laps. The sun is brutal during the day. You must have sunshades and effective sun block. At night the cold can be serious.”

“Let’s be frank: living in an open, hand woven wicker basket the size of a small broom closet with another man for a couple of days is not something I would have ever thought I would want to do.

Having said that, our basket was as super comfortable . . .

Getting a reasonable amount of sleep is critical as fatigue can really impact your ability to make good decisions, which could obviously impact safety, most importantly, and race strategy as well.”

Phil Bryant, ten-time America’s Challenge competitor

Noah Forden

“By the third day a form of mental and physical isolation is setting in. It is a removal from the world on the ground almost like solitary confinement . . . our world is how much ballast we have left, where we will land, and what the weather conditions will be as we descend . . .

Peter feels a combination of anxious anticipation of the task of landing the balloon and some relief that we will soon be able to sleep again in a real bed. Barbara regrets that the flight is almost over, since she always wants to fly more.”

“… I love the camaraderie of my fellow pilots, crews and officials, the solemnity of the launch, the excitement of the flight, the jubilation of the landing. I have made friends for life in this sport, on the ground and in the air.”

Ruth Lind, six time America’s Challenge Competitor and current Command Center director

Peter Cuneo and Barbara Fricke

PHOTO: LAURENT SCIBOZ

PHOTO: RAY PALMER

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THE 2000s: 2000-2009

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The

2000S T

PHOTO BY VICTOR BANTA

he Balloon Fiesta partied right along with the rest of the world in the millennial year 2000, meeting its goal of welcoming “1,000 [balloons] in 2000.”

The first decade of the millennium brought new technological tools to the world and to ballooning: GPS positioning and tracking, more remote weather stations, and better forecasting.

Facebook and Twitter (and Wikipedia) came on the scene, revolutionizing the way people get information.

With the coming of the iPod and iPhone and their competitors, suddenly everybody had a little computer in their pocket that they could also use as a phone and a camera. For the most photographed event in the world, this was a not insignificant development.

The true tone of the decade was set by the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on September 11, 2001. The Balloon Fiesta almost didn’t happen that year due to the closure of U.S. airspace resulting from the terrorists’ use of airplanes as weapons of mass destruction. That the show went on, and indeed provided a ray of light and color lifting spirits in a dark time, was nothing short of a triumph.

But the Balloon Fiesta, like the rest of an increasingly dangerous world, was permanently changed. Safety and security, which had always been a top priority for the event, were enhanced even further. So were amenities on the launch site to make it a pleasant place for guests to linger. For a few hours, people could put aside the cares of the decade and remember what it was like to be a kid again, fascinated by a floating balloon.

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THE 2000s: 2000-2009

2000

In 1981, at the dedication of Cutter Field, Sid Cutter mentioned that the “new” launch site was big enough so the Balloon Fiesta could have 1,000 balloons! It was a somewhat bold statement, and not entirely popular with some balloonists who felt 1,000 was a few hundred too many. But in the year 2000, the Balloon Fiesta Board decided that – just this once! – they’d open the floodgates to 1,000 colorful aerostats. “1,000 in 2000” became the battle cry, and sure enough, in 2000 more than 1,000 balloons took to the skies in Albuquerque (the number is variously estimated at 1,003 to 1,019).

It was a spectacular sight, but the skeptics proved to be right. One thousand was too many, both logistically and given the dwindling availability of places for balloonists to land – and recent Balloon Fiestas have been limited to around 600 balloons. But if there was any question that Albuquerque is the hot air balloon capital of the world, the 2000 Balloon Fiesta settled the question and set a record for the number of balloons

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launched in a single event.

2000 brought new events and changes in other areas. After years of it being too windy in the afternoons for the special shape balloons to fly, the Balloon Fiesta gave up on that idea and turned both evening special shape events into Glowdeos – with record attendance resulting. The Special Shape Rodeo on Thursday and Friday now consisted of morning mass ascension/competition flights for the shapes, and two evening Glowdeos. New competition events, including the Double Drop and Balloon Fiesta Golf, challenged pilots. The Fiesta of Wheels Car Show was a new and popular addition, as was grass added to the south end of the field.

The 2000 Balloon Fiesta proved to be an unusually wet one – so wet that at one point the local TV stations sent their news helicopters to hover over and dry the field. But the weather pattern proved to be great for distance gas balloon flights: David and Alan Levin flew nearly 2,000 miles to set a new America’s Challenge record.

2001

The Balloon Fiesta hit the ripe old age of 30 in 2001 and more change was in the air, along with the 668 hot air balloons, 20 gas balloons, and 82 special shapes registered that year. A new event, Albuquerque Aloft, brought balloons to local schools on the Friday before the event’s official start on Saturday – a great way for kids to learn about balloons and pilots to get their equipment sorted out and ready to go for the next day’s mass ascension. A new long distance event (or “long jump” in ballooning lingo), the New Mexico Challenge, gave hot air balloon pilots the chance to see how far they could travel in a single flight (hint: a lot less far than the America’s Challenge gas balloons). Competition featured a new event, Balloon Blackjack, where pilots tried to make the best possible hand by dropping markers on giant playing cards. The Balloon Fiesta moved into its current permanent headquarters a couple of blocks from Balloon Fiesta Park at Alameda Rd. and Balloon Museum Dr. And, 2001 was Kodak’s last year as the event’s title sponsor.

But all this was quickly overshadowed by the events of September 11, 2001, when all aircraft – including balloons – were grounded in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. For a couple of weeks, it looked like there might not be a Balloon Fiesta at all. Through the efforts of New Mexico’s congressional delegation, state and city leaders, and the Balloon Fiesta Board and staff, the flight restrictions were lifted in time for the show to go on.

But inevitably, the tone of the Balloon Fiesta changed: too many had lost friends and too many others their sense of safety.

New security measures were in place (the Black Hawk military

helicopter hovering nearby being one of the more visible), most U.S. pilots flew American Flags from their baskets or crown lines, and the America’s Challenge gas balloon pilots were greeted suspiciously upon their landings in the U.S. upper Midwest (at least one was ordered to report to law enforcement). But the Balloon Fiesta provided a catharsis for a wounded city and nation and a triumphant reminder that life goes on, and can even be colorful and fun.

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2002

Ask long-time Balloon Fiesta guests and pilots about the change they feel had the greatest impact on people’s perception and enjoyment of the event, and most will point to something that happened in 2002. This is the year the 78-acre Balloon Fiesta Park launch field was fully grassed for the first time.

2003

In its early years, the Balloon Fiesta was never able to do much to enhance its amenities for guests. The event was a guest itself, on whoever’s property the launch site was located, and could not install much in the way of permanent infrastructure.

That, of course, changed when the current Balloon Fiesta Park opened. Sponsors had always received VIP treatment in a catered tent on the field, presided over by the Balloon Fiesta’s longtime hospitality doyenne, Jacqueline Hockey. But there had never been anything available for Balloon Fiesta guests who were not affiliated with a sponsor, but wanted a luxury experience.

That changed in 2003 with the opening of the Gondola Club, an exclusive, expansive area with catered gourmet dining, special close-in parking, shuttle service around the field, and – best of all! – (portable) flush toilets! Gondola Club tickets are still in high demand today, as are the Balloon Fiesta’s new Concierge tours, “Glamping” accommodations on a nearby ball field, and RV spaces in the President’s Compound overlooking the park. In 2009, the Chasers’ Club was created to offer meals and seating for guests at a lower price point.

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All of a sudden, the launch site was a place people really wanted to be – to have picnics and family gettogethers, to tailgate, to hang around for shopping on Main Street. And it kept the balloons from getting so dusty. It’s a seemingly little thing, but oh, what a difference it made!

After the trauma of 2001, the Balloon Fiesta felt a little more “normal” in 2002. Security was more visible than ever before, but that made people feel safer.

Behind the scenes, an alphabet soup of federal, state, and local agencies worked together to keep it that way, an interagency effort that continues to this day.

There were no big new events, just the magic of special shapes, glowing balloons, and mass ascensions – and in a year where the theme said it all, the need for the people of the world to unite, that was enough.

2004

Events continued to evolve at Balloon Fiesta as the decade continued.

The New Mexico Challenge hot air balloon distance race ended and was replaced the next year by an additional competition flight, the Fiesta Challenge. Other new events, such as the Fiesta del Vino for wine connoisseurs, thrived.

The Balloon Fiesta also added a Salute to Veterans in 2004, which over the years has evolved into a much larger opening ceremony honoring our country and also balloonists and others who have passed on. Recently, the ceremony has included a “candlestick” glow, where pilots turn on their burners and shoot 20-foot flames into the sky, at the end of the National Anthem as the “Balloon of the Day” takes the flag aloft. This salute often also includes a military or civilian aircraft flyover of the field,

and pays fitting tribute to our fellow balloonists and our military veterans.

2005

In 2004, Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer Davis won the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, the first American team to do so in 12 years.

Carol became the first, and still the only, woman to ever win the race. Their victory gave Albuquerque the chance to host the Gordon Bennett in 2005. But this time, instead of cancelling the Balloon Fiesta’s America’s Challenge gas balloon race, it was decided to hold both events together, with the Gordon Bennett competitors launching first, followed by the America’s Challenge teams.

The spectacular result was the largest gas balloon competitive event ever held in North America. Twenty-six teams – 14 competing in the Gordon Bennett and 12 in the America’s Challenge – took flight in one of the most thrilling distance races in history. The Gordon Bennett champions, Bob Berben and Benoît Siméons of Belgium, flew 3,400.39 km (2,113 miles), landing

near the east coast of Quebec and setting a Gordon Bennett distance record that still stands. America’s Challenge victors Janet Folkes and Bill Arras landed in Ontario, flying nearly 1,500 miles.

The other major event of 2005 was the opening of the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, located just up the hill behind the south end of the launch field. The museum, run by the City of Albuquerque (not the Balloon Fiesta, as many think) features the science, art, and history of ballooning. Its large collection of artifacts include balloon gondolas used for record-setting flights, a weather lab, interactive exhibits for children, and – this year – special exhibits on the Balloon Fiesta’s 50 year history and Balloon Fiesta founder Sid Cutter. The Museum is open extended hours during the Balloon Fiesta.

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2006

Events – especially non-flying events – continued to come and go as the Balloon Fiesta moved into the latter half of the first decade of the 21st century. In the “coming” category, the crowd-pleasing Chainsaw Carving contests and demonstrations were first held on the north end of the field. The Balloon Fiesta began to rev up its après-flying and evening entertainment offerings, with performances by Jamie O’Neal and Marty Stuart. Other events ran their course and headed to the Balloon Fiesta graveyard of dear departed events, including Fiesta del Vino and the short-lived Fiesta Challenge competitive event.

Around this time, also, the Balloon Fiesta ended its relationship with ProCreations, which had produced the official Balloon Fiesta posters for a quarter-century.

The event staff took over commissioning the event posters, a trend that has continued with other official items such as jackets, sportswear, and pilot gifts.

2007

Wells Fargo as the presenting sponsor, the Marshall Tucker Band, a new pin trading venue, and a new Saturday night Balloon Glow were highlights of the 2007 Balloon Fiesta. The Twilight Twinkle Glow joined the lineup on the first Saturday evening, at the beginning of the “launch window” for the America’s Challenge gas balloon race. The two events held together – with gas balloons launching while hot air balloons prepare to glow – give guests a view of both types of balloons and is a truly spectacular sight.

However, the America’s Challenge can be, and often is, postponed because of adverse weather conditions hundreds of miles from Albuquerque, in the direction the gas balloons would travel. The Twilight Twinkle Glow guarantees guests will have something special to see at Balloon Fiesta Park even if the gas race is postponed, and gives guests five evening Balloon Glows and fireworks spectaculars to choose from when planning their Balloon Fiesta visit.

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2008

By 2008, the Balloon Fiesta had essentially acquired the structure it has today, with morning mass ascensions on weekend and Wednesday mornings,

the Special Shape Rodeo (mornings) and Glowdeo (evenings) on Thursday and Friday, Balloon Glows on the first weekend and the second Saturday evenings. The America’s Challenge gas balloon race had established itself as an exciting contest with long, record setting flights always a possibility. Live tracking via the Balloon Fiesta website brought the America’s Challenge gas race fans right into people’s living rooms, so they could root on their favorite teams.

Once again in 2008, the Balloon Fiesta hosted the world distance gas ballooning world championships - the Coupe Gordon Bennett. Britain’s David Hempleman-Adams and Jon Mason bested twelve other teams to take home the title. Four U.S. teams competed in that year’s America’s Challenge.

2009

Two major new services debuted in 2009: the Chasers’ Club and the Bike Valet, which provides guests traveling to Balloon Fiesta Park by bike a safe and secure place to deposit their bikes while enjoying the Balloon Fiesta. (It helps alleviate traffic and crowded parking lots, too.) The Balloon Fiesta continued to centralize services for guests, bringing group tour services in house, as it had Park and Ride and hotel bookings for pilots.

Weather can always be a challenge for the Balloon Fiesta, and in 2009 it proved problematic for the America’s Challenge. The balloons were inflated on the field ready to take off when a low level jet stream brought high winds across the field. After a two hour hold, the race was cancelled, since it was not safe to launch.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Safety First:

Public Safety at Balloon Fiesta

BY HARRY SEASON

I

n any given year, nearly one million people will visit Balloon Fiesta Park during the nine days of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® (AIBF). During any one of those events, as many as 80,000 people visit Balloon Fiesta Park, a gathering that would make the Park the fifth largest city in New Mexico!

The Board of Directors and staff of the Balloon Fiesta take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the event. This includes not only flight safety involving the thousands of balloon flight operations during the nine-day event, but also making sure our guests on the ground at Balloon Fiesta Park are safe. To help AIBF meet these extraordinary requirements, we have established a Balloon Fiesta Public Safety program, whose main purpose is the protection of our guests at Balloon Fiesta Park in all aspects not involving flight operations, which is maintained through its own safety programs (see the article on page 218).

The Balloon Fiesta Public Safety program is designed to provide law enforcement, fire and rescue capabilities and medical assistance to our guests. The Public Safety program is led by an AIBF Director of Public Safety who manages the integration of multiple federal, state, county and city agencies to ensure coordinated and prompt responses to any incident that might occur at Balloon Fiesta Park during the event. These coordination activities include multiple meetings conducted over many months preceding each Balloon Fiesta, where roles and responsibilities of

Right: Albuquerque Police – just one of the alphabet soup of agencies involved in public safety at the Balloon Fiesta.

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PHOTO: BENNIE BOS

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PHOTO: KIM VESELY

Above: The interagency communications center onsite at Balloon Fiesta Park. Dispatchers from multiple law enforcement agencies coordinate their activities in this facility. Below: Albuquerque Fire Department medical first responders Right: It's hard to miss these guys!

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

all agencies are discussed, reviewed, and coordinated.

Some of the agencies that participate in these activities include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshal’s Office, 64th Combat Support Team, New Mexico State Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department, Rio Rancho Police Department, Albuquerque Fire and Rescue, Lovelace Medical Center,

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Albuquerque Ambulance Service, New Mexico Mounted Search & Rescue, Bernalillo Office of Emergency Management, the Public Service Company of New Mexico (providers of electrical power throughout NM) and the Garrity Group, which provides Public Affairs services to the AIBF. The goal of these Public Safety activities is to be able to meet any emergency that might occur at Balloon Fiesta Park during the event. These could include emergency response to a medical episode on the park, transporting the victim to the on-site Lovelace Medical Center (staffed with doctors and nurses) for care and then possible transport from Balloon Fiesta Park to a nearby medical facility should the condition of the victim warrant. The emergency might include even more complex scenarios that might warrant significant and coordinated responses from our suite of responding agencies.

During the preparatory months leading up to the Balloon Fiesta, the Bernalillo County Office of Emergency Management develops and facilitates a series of table-top exercises that provide opportunities for all agencies to describe their role and responsibility for the incident. This allows the agencies to deconflict their roles and responsibilities and helps ensure a coordinated and prompt response.

The airspace around Balloon Fiesta Park is strictly controlled, and aircraft of all kinds are required by law to adhere to the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in the Balloon Fiesta’s operations area. To ensure the safety of our guests, the Balloon Fiesta does not allow the operation of non-accredited drones within our airspace. We even employ a company that can detect the operation of any drone within seconds of it being activated, and provide the location of the drone operator so that we can quickly locate the operator and request that they cease operations immediately.

The Balloon Fiesta Board and staff works hard to produce a world-class event that promotes the sport of ballooning, the City of Albuquerque and State of New Mexico. As part of those efforts, we strive to provide a safe environment for our participants and guests. The AIBF Public Safety program has been developed and refined over many years to help ensure that we meet these important objectives.

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

During the Balloon Fiesta, you may see uniformed members of the AIBF Public Safety team, who help provide security and communications capability. These members help to provide initial response to any incident for crowd control and/or requests for accredited law enforcement agencies should the incident warrant. Also, throughout the event, you may see uniformed members of law enforcement, e.g., the APD Mounted Patrol.

However, there is also the security you may not see: plainclothes law enforcement officers (federal and local) stationed throughout the event and roaming through the crowds of guests. Albuquerque Fire and Rescue maintains an active fire station on the park during the event providing fast response to any incident involving a fire, rescue or emergency medical response.

All our guests and participants are an important part of our safety team. Your eyes and ears are important. If you see or hear something that causes you concern or need to summon help in an emergency, there are plenty of people to ask, including law enforcement officers, Balloon Fiesta safety officers, and first responders on the field. Also, members of the on-field flight operations staff, including launch directors (Zebras) and safety officers, carry radios and can relay messages through their team leads to medical and law enforcement personnel.

Harry Season, the 1992 and 1993 Balloonmeister, serves on the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors and is a member of the Heritage Committee.

PHOTO: BENNIE BOS

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Lovelace Health System is proud to be the official health care provider for the 2022 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Below is a list of helpful safety tips to help you enjoy your visit in good health: Limit alcohol consumption. Remember, you’re at a milehigh altitude, which could increase alcohol’s impact.

Dress in layers. It’s sometimes very cool in the morning, but after sunrise it will warm up noticeably.

Bring water. Stay hydrated throughout the day.

Bring sunscreen. At a higher altitude you’re at an increased risk for sunburn.

Bring appropriate eye protection. Sun and wind could be your enemies on a sunny or windy day.

Don’t smoke anywhere near the balloons. A lit cigarette could possibly ignite a balloon’s propane fuel tank.

Choose a place to meet in case someone gets separated or lost. Make sure young children have some form of identification on them.

Don’t “drive and watch” at the same time. The balloons are a magnificent but distracting sight. Move completely off to the side of the road to watch.

Watch where you’re going. Beware of vehicles moving around the field, especially emergency vehicles trying to get through the crowd.

Bring a flashlight for evening events. Also, take note of where you parked your car—it’s more difficult to find in the dark.

Lovelace Health System’s emergency medical professionals provide on-site emergency medical care for problems ranging from minor scrapes to heart attacks.

Lovelace’s medical volunteers will be located at the Lovelace First Aid Center.

The best way to prevent COVID is to avoid being exposed to the virus and to get vaccinated and boosted.

Clean your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Practice social distancing by putting at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and other people.

Cover your coughs and sneezes.

Lovelace Health System’s emergency medical professionals provide on-site emergency medical care for problems ranging from minor scrapes to heart attacks. Lovelace’s medical volunteers will be located at the Lovelace First Aid Center.

* © 2022 Lovelace Health System All rights reserved. These materials may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without crediting Lovelace for use.

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2022 Officials Balloonmeister Henry Rosenbaum Assistant Balloonmeister Peg Billson Assistant Balloonmeister Maury Sullivan Safety Officials Tom Bueno, Chief Safety Official Melissa Bond Roger Clark Neida Courtney Bueno Doug Gallagher Mike Garcia J.D. Huss Alex Jonard II Mike Liberti Ted Maes Chuck Raskob Thomas Schroeder Paul Suttle Administrative Assistant Lynn Sullivan Weather Officials Brad Temeyer, Chief Weather Official Duncan Dunavent John Elrick Katherine Kelly Randy Lefevre Robert Wise Landowner Relations Nancy Wertz, Chief Landowner Relations Official Wally Book Karen Brown Jim Holley Nancy Holley Larry Merry Janette Stone Orbin Stone Balloon Refueling Area Mike Chandler, Balloon Refueling Chief

Scoring Officials Tammy Luna, Chief Scoring Official Rita Brennan, Assistant Chief Scoring Official Jay Luna, Chief of Targets John Abel Carlette Ahrens Ryan Ahrens Amy Asper Patty Biddison John Brennan Melissa Brennan Taylor Currier Mike Gilligan Penny Griego Harold Jackson Phyllis Jackson Blake Jordan Carl Kinnard Susan Kinnard Jon Kirkwood Lyn Kirkwood Bob Lucero Becca McConaghy Jurgen Rimac Patricia Ann Rudy-Baese Virgina Sanchez Launch Directors Michelle Healy, Chief Launch Director Chris Padilla, Assistant Chief Launch Director Cliff Holman, North/South Section Lead Lynn Tillery, North/South Section Lead Jay Pape, Assistant South Section Lead Anna Brody, Assistant North Section Lead Martha McKinney Joseph Ballengee Lora McKown Bill Brennan Christina Meadows Elisa Bustamante Pam Micker Nicholas Chavez Jeanie Moughan Tom Christopher Cathy Myrick David Crossland Caitlin Odom Jeff Dill Sarah Pearson Karen Fleetwood Kat Perea Kevin French Katrin Phillips Larry Gensinger Ron Phillips Debbie Gonzales Emily Pine Theodore Gransbury Bill Rager Kim Kelbe Jeff Renegar Tiffany Kenworthy Char-Lynn Richardson Shawn Leonard Debbie Sanchez Rachael Lujan Samantha Sanchez Danny McCoy

Karl Schaefer Daniel Schulz Nicole Tagart Deborah Taylor Mike Taylor Michael Trahan Laura Virgin Dylan Wambold Lawrence Wambold Caryn Welz Kimberly Whiteman Rachel Wills Janice Wrhel Glenn Young Michael Zink

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

PHOTO: BENNIE BOS

Zebras Grazing Zebras /zē.bra/: Hoofed Animals (genus equus), having conspicuous black and white striped markings. Characterized by keen vision and astonishing speed. Often seen grazing or galloping near on-ground gondolas

Zebra hand signals: Thumbs Up: Cleared for immediate liftoff.

Thumbs down: Hold exactly where you are Walk the balloon: The ground crew will guide the balloon along the path to the spot indicated by the launch director. The balloon is buoyant with no lift provided by the crew.

Launch Directors – affectionately known as “Zebras” because of their blackand-white uniforms – are perhaps the Balloon Fiesta’s most visible ambassadors.

Guests love them, take pictures of them, ply them with questions, so they must know everything from how a balloon works to where the nearest porta-potties are. But they are also officials who play a very serious and important role in flight safety: to facilitate a safe, coordinated launch.

This year’s team leads – the equivalents of Jim Jordan and Neida Courtney-Bueno, the officials from nearly 30 years ago who are interviewed in the article -- are Michelle Healy, Chief Launch Official; Chris Padilla, Assistant Chief Launch Official, and Anna Brody, Cliff Holman, Jay Pape, and Lynn Tillery, Section Leads. Some members of the team have been launch directors for decades, and there are a number of secondgeneration launch directors.

BY MARJORIE SHAPIRO STEIN Updated from the 1994 Balloon Fiesta® Program

Pictured: Thumbs up! Every pilot’s favorite hand signal.

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PHOTO: PAUL DE BERJEOIS

Above: A herd of Zebras in captivity, er, rather, launch directors at their on-field headquarters. Below: Launch directors brief a pilot prior to takeoff while demonstrating the herd’s fashion sense.

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PHOTO: PAUL DE BERJEOIS

W

hile no real zebras roam Balloon Fiesta Park, an assortment of human facsimiles canter over the field. Wearing horizontal, vertical, and angled stripes, they are visible from every grid. But who are they? Neither costumed apparitions nor imposing judges. They are volunteers of the most professional kind, a trained and dedicated group of officials: the expert team of Launch Directors. And the Balloon Fiesta couldn’t function without them.

Headed [in 1994] by Chief Launch Director Jim Jordan and Assistant Director Neida Courtney Bueno [who later served as Balloonmeister in 2011-12], the group – in collaboration with the Balloonmeister and seven [now 13] safety officers – assumes full responsibility for the safe and coordinated launch of up to 650 balloons. Their individual and collective presence safeguards ascensions and controls confusion and chaos.

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

Above: Zebra esprit de corps!

“There are as many as 650 balloons participating in a mass ascension,” explains Jordan, “but they can’t all inflate at the same time because there simply isn’t enough space. Too many balloons crushed together could create a dangerous situation for pilots and guests.”

“That’s why we launch in waves,” adds CourtneyBueno. “Ascensions start on the downwind side of the field and continue in row-by-row formation. Matching the number of balloons to available space helps maintain order and ensure safety.”

Replacing pandemonium with precision is only one aspect of Launch Committee action. The group must also aid, abet, and guide each pilot’s trip aloft.

The 60+ member launch team covers the entire field, eyeballing gondolas and envelopes for safety infractions and violations. Integrating specific communication techniques, they monitor, control, and direct air traffic.

“Some situations are not as concerning as others,” continues Jordan. For example, envelope to envelope

contact [between balloons] isn’t of as much concern as gondola with envelope contact would be. Of course, we try to prevent any balloon-to-balloon contact by alerting our pilots to obstacles: we can be their ‘sonar’, if necessary.”

Pilots depend upon launch directors for visual direction because they cannot, obviously, look up through the top of the balloon to see who might be hovering overhead in their flight paths. Launch directors perform the same duties as controllers in airport towers.

They’re closer to the action, but must make the same on-the-spot critical decisions.

“Pilots depend upon us and trust our decisions,” Jordan says. “We try to provide consistent non-verbal signals, since shouts can’t always be heard above the sound of propane burners and crowd excitement.”

Using a prescribed set of signals, launch directors indicate when hot air balloons should begin inflation, hold their field positions, or fly aloft.

Communication, flexibility, and good judgment are ideal attributes for members of the launch team. “We’re enthusiasts on and off the field,” laughs Courtney-Bueno.

“Absolutely right,” agrees Jordan. “We’re proud of our competence and deliberate efforts to cooperate with one another. We’re a non-competitive group, here to prevent Balloon Fiesta mishaps. Launch Directors are privileged to have esprit de corps; for nine inspiring days we are a family – as sturdy and staunch and sure as our Zebra counterparts.”

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Red Jacket Officials:

Oft Overlooked Flight Operations Teams

W

hen visiting the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, many guests, balloon crews, vendors, and sponsors most often see and interact with Launch Directors (or Zebras, see page 214) and Field Security officials (see page 208). Those folks are all over the place, and easy to spot.

But five other teams less well known, except to most pilots, also play important roles in coordinating a safe and enjoyable Balloon Fiesta: Safety, Weather, Scoring, Landowner Relations and Propane. Who are these people, and what do they do?

These teams work closely with the Balloonmeister, the chief official responsible for all Balloon Fiesta flight activities. Henry Rosenbaum has been Balloonmeister since 2019. This year, Maury Sullivan and Peg Billson are the Assistant Balloonmeisters, who deputize at some events.

The Safety team, led by Tom Bueno, is responsible for flight safety. The Weather team, led by Brad Temeyer, predicts and communicates the approaching weather patterns, in long-term, medium-term, and up-to-theminute reports. The Scoring team, reporting to Tammy Luna, observes the balloons as they fly into targets or the poles for grabs and ring tosses, measures (to the fractions of an inch) the distances of scoring markers

Right: A long tradition dating back to the 1970s: Officials salute the flag during the National Anthem.

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PHOTO: TOM MCCONNELL

BY TOM MCCONNELL

PHOTO: PAUL DEBERJEOIS

Above: Long time past safety officer Wally Book consulting with pilots, a big part of the job.

(baggies) from the target, and monitors actions that might disqualify a balloon pilot. The Landowner Relations staff, led by Nancy Wertz, reaches out to landowners who are both friendly and unfriendly to balloons landing on their property. The Propane group, reporting to Chief of Refueling Mike Chandler, monitors balloon refueling activities, including safety issues, as well as vehicle and human traffic at the refueling station.

The members of the teams are listed in the program on page 213. All these officials are volunteers: longtime balloon pilots, balloon crew or experienced former officials. The team leads are selected for exemplary past performance; many start in the ranks and move up the chain of command to become assistants, chief officials, assistant balloonmeisters, and Balloonmeister. Some eventually join the Balloon Fiesta staff and/or become members of the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors.

Safety The Safety Officers are responsible for monitoring and enforcing actions related to balloon and pilot/crew flight safety. They are separate from, but work alongside, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials who are also on site, conducting safety checks and educational programs and enforcing the Federal Air Regulations (FARs) governing aircraft. The Balloon Fiesta’s safety officials focus on counseling pilots about the Balloon Fiesta’s safety protocols, but also any other issues that may affect pilot, crew, or guest safety.

The Safety Officers have a long list of responsibilities, including: • Observing balloons with their ancillary equipment (inflation fans, ropes, helmets, etc.) that fly or tether at Balloon Fiesta Park • Alerting pilots about possible hazards and equipment damage

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PHOTO: RAY WATT

Above: Families help launch and safety officials with the flag flown from the Balloon of the Day.

• Counseling pilots, including for violations of Balloon Fiesta rules • Making reports on pilots who need further counseling • Helping to resolve pilot conflicts • Monitoring Dawn Patrol, Mass Ascension, and Balloon Glow briefings and alerts • Working with AIBF Pubic Safety officials in liaison and coordination efforts • Checking propane refueling activities for safety issues • Monitoring on-field and off-field target areas for safety issues, such as spectators who may interfere with scoring or balloon landings • Patrolling the America’s Challenge gas balloon launch area for safety issues and keeping guests out of the secured area while the balloons are being filled • Helping to monitor and enforce any safety issues occurring when balloons land on the field; • Monitoring, testing, allocating, and fixing audio equipment used for inter- and intra-official team communications and the scooters officials use to get around • Coordinating, displaying, and updating official maps that alert pilots to sensitive or prohibited areas • Producing, the pilot safety video and recording viewership of same as well as completion of required pilot documentation as pilots register

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The Safety Officers’ job is not all enforcement. Tom Bueno described the joy the team gets from letting families with young kids help raise the green flag of the day, which indicates that the balloons will be flying soon and that the fun is about to begin. Another satisfying part of this team’s job is helping the Weather and Launch Teams have a young balloonist (future pilot) release the Pi-ball at the morning weather briefing. Tom says the love of ballooning, of the people and camaraderie and teamwork of those involved, and the many friendships make this an important and return-to job. The Safety Team often gets both positive and negative feedback from pilots, spectators and others, making this an interesting learning experience. Plus, all the other officials listen to the Safety Team when new ideas and approaches about increasing flight safety arise.

Scoring Chief of Scoring Tammy Luna has an experienced group of helpers, including Rita Brennan, Assistant Scoring Chief, Mike Gilligan, Chief Scoring Tech, and Jay Luna, Chief of Targets. Although Tammy is not a pilot, she has decades of working on a chase crew, and 30 years as a scoring officer.

The “tasks” pilots are asked to complete in competition have varied over the years, but the basic principle always has been for the pilot to fly to a target.

The target is usually an “X”, but poles, giant playing

PHOTO: ALESSA KLUGE

map on the briefing tower and on the web site, so pilots will have the latest landing obstructions or changes in locations of PZs or other landowner data.

Tammy works closely with the Safety Team, Launch Directors, and the FAA. This team gets few compliments, but many complaints, such as when a penalty, disqualification, or “no score” has been assessed.

Tammy says the best part of the job is “being part of the best event in the world.”

To learn more about competition and scoring, see the article on page 224, and visit the Collectors Corner in the Merchandise section of the Balloon Fiesta website to view articles from past Balloon Fiesta programs: “Games Balloonists Play” by Kim Vesely, pp 98-99, 2010; and “Competition, Yesterday and Today” by Marilee SchmitNason and Wally Book, pp 62-68, 2018. cards, golf pins, and even a boat are used for some tasks.

Once there, the pilot drops or places an official marker (a streamered, weighted baggie, ring, or other “scoring device”) as close to the middle of the target as possible. Who got closest? The Scoring Team’s job is to find out.

The Scoring Team places the targets at designated locations both off-field and on-field. As pilots fly toward the target, the Scoring Team keeps a close watch to make sure they obey the altitude limitations in approaching the target (at least 75 feet off the ground until inside the flagged scoring area), about touching ground, landing on the field, not interfering with other balloons, or otherwise not sticking to the competition rules. Once Top: Getting ready to release the “pibal” which pilots use to get an idea of winds aloft. pilots drop their scoring device, Above: Measuring scoring devices – this shows why fractions of an inch make a difference! the scorers measure its distance from the center of the target down to fractions of an inch.

Weather Winners are decided using a formula containing a series For Balloon Fiesta 2022, our Weather Team consists of measurements of that specific pilot’s distances from of Brad Temeyer, with the help of Duncan Dunavent, the target over the course of Balloon Fiesta. The overall John Elrick, Katherine Kelly, and Robert Wise. The team winner may get a new automobile or truck, motorcycle, also includes Randy Lefevre, long-time Balloon Fiesta balloon, or prize money. Other prizes go to the lower weather guy and one of a handful of experts in the world scoring balloons. on forecasting long distance weather trajectories for There are 5 weekdays designated as competition scientific and manned balloons, as the meteorologist for days, unless one or more mornings are weathered out. the America’s Challenge gas balloon race.

But even when the weather prohibits competition, the The Weather Team starts work on Wednesday before team stays busy. Targets may need repair, there are Balloon Fiesta, setting up their office in one end of the hundreds of “returned” baggies to sort, and Tammy says Safety Trailer and briefing the Safety Team and any the team is responsible for marking and updating the big

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while the rest of the team is back at the weather part of the safety trailer. For evening events, the team starts about 3 p.m. with the same devices and reports to give to the Balloonmeister and other officials.

John Elrick says the best part of the job is seeing all the people at Balloon Fiesta, giving out pins to kids, and working as part of a larger team.

PHOTOS: DAVID DICKENSON

Landowner Relations

Above: Using the theodolite to gather weather data.

Below: Dropping into a friendly neighborhood.

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PHOTO: BENNIE BOS

other officials in the trailer. This team uses 1) Weather Underground (which has sites in Corrales, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo et al), 2) the National Weather Service for Albuquerque, and 3) the Weather Profiler. The profiler belongs to the City of Albuquerque, usually set up at Double Eagle Airport, but during Balloon Fiesta, it is moved to the north end of Balloon Fiesta Park. This device uses radar, looking at the reflection of air particles surface to 1500 feet AGL and higher in increments of speed and direction. Wind sensors are positioned around the field, along with a lightning detector.

The team begins collecting weather data each morning beginning around 3:30 - 4:00 a.m. Three weather people monitor the computers, a fourth person inputs the data, and a fifth runs the theodolite, which is basically a precision telescope mounted on a transit which monitors a pi-bal (pilot ball, essentially a large latex balloon) for wind speed and direction using horizontal and vertical plane measurements. They report these data to the Dawn Patrol balloon pilots, usually already flying early in the morning.

The team also reports data from the WINDSONDE (more accurately defined as a radiosonde), a batterypowered telemetry instrument carried aloft on a small helium balloon which records temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure, humidity and geographical position. This device is then released from the helium balloon and dropped to the ground, later to be retrieved (by the landowners relations group). Brad is at the briefing tower, giving weather reports orally to pilots,

Nancy Wertz and her team, consisting of Larry Merry, Janette and Orbin Stone, Jim and Nancy Holley, Wally Book, and Karen Brown, are the folks who monitor and visit unhappy landowners. The landowners where balloons land, or in some cases fly over a remuda of horses or goats or sheep or emus, sometimes are upset by their livestock responding to the noise of the balloon burners, or balloon trucks driving over recently irrigated pasture, or balloons hitting a house or some other object while landing. It is the duty of the Landowner group to visit those folks and see if there is some way to settle emotions down, or explain what happened, or in other ways to mollify the landowners. This team also heads the effort to lay out white sheets or other signs that balloons are welcome to land on their property, in case the landowner is friendly to balloon landings.

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT PHOTO: KIM VESELY

Above: The Balloon Fiesta’s “gas station”: pilots refueling

During Balloon Fiesta, Nancy’s team cruises around the metro area, usually Sandia Reservation, Corrales and Bernalillo. When a call comes in, the team heads to the spot in order to find out what happened and to talk to the landowners. Nancy’s team has keys to various locked gates (e.g. AMAFCA or city parks or private/commercial properties) in order to facilitate helping to inform and calm landowner issues. The Balloon Fiesta also provides and encourages landowners to display a “white sheet” or “white X” on their property to signal balloonists that it is OK to land there.

There are several prohibited zones (PZs) in the area, where landowners do not want balloons. Some are marked YELLOW (land here only if an emergency) or RED (don’t land and maintain a minimum altitude over the property). For those landowners, Nancy’s team can provide yellow or red markers. All officials stress the procedure for the landowner to record a balloon banner number or take a photo of a balloon that is causing a problem. If landowners ask that their property become a PZ after Balloon Fiesta starts, Nancy’s team keeps this information up to date, and displays all PZ information on the big map at briefing tower.

Of course, many landowners love it when balloonists drop in on them, and many balloon teams go the extra mile to make their visit to local neighborhoods special.

To recognize this, the Landowner team nominates a “ambassador pilot of the day,” announced the next morning at pilot’s briefing.

And talk about multi-tasking -- Nancy is also the person who retrieves the WINDSONDE, using GPS. She then returns the device to the Weather staff, who download the data to their computer.

Propane Mike Chandler, Propane Chief, monitors the activities of balloon pilots and crews who are refueling their balloon’s tanks. They work closely with Albuquerque Fire Department, the Albuquerque Fire Marshall and the propane contractors, who provide the trucks and personnel who actually deliver the propane to the manifolds (these are the certified gas pipes and hoses used by the propane contractors and AIBF). This year, our propane contractor is Pinnacle Propane.

The Propane Team’s job is to monitor the balloon trucks and trailers as they come in to the refueling line, check on proper identification of the pilots/balloons, remind pilots and crew to follow safety procedures (no smoking, no nylon fabrics near the propane, etc.), proper refueling procedures, and to follow common-sense precautions. These folks also keep the records of which balloon got how much propane, or whether they did not refuel at all, and then computerize the data and turn it over to the Balloonmeister.

We cannot overly stress how closely all these teams work together, along with the AIBF Executive Director, Operations Director, Board, volunteers, and staff, to make Balloon Fiesta the largest, safest and most organized balloon event in the world. And the most fun.

Dr. Tom McConnell, a.k.a. “Father Time,” is the cooriginator of the iconic Zia balloon. He’s a member and past president of the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors and a leading historian and writer on the history of the event.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Balloon Fiesta® Competition History:

Games Balloonists Play

T

he story goes that when Sid Cutter was asked about bringing his balloon to KOB’s 50th anniversary celebration, he replied, “Sure. Maybe we could even have a balloon race.” And then it dawned on him: he had no idea how balloons “race.” But just ten days later, Sid and Don Draper were aloft as the target balloon in their very first competition.

Since that day – April 8, 1972 – competition has been an integral part of what soon became the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. These contests – in the ballooning world, called “tasks” – have varied over the years from serious world-class challenges, to whimsical, fun tests, and most recently spectator-friendly versions of the kind of tasks used in regional and national competition. However, all the tasks, whether fun or serious, have the same principle: maneuver the balloon to a target and drop a marker as close to the center of the target as possible -- tasks that test pilots on the same skills they use on every flight.

Fiesta’s First Task: Hare and Hound/ Roadrunner and Coyote The first Balloon Fiesta task – that race Sid Cutter and Don Draper found themselves flying in 1972 – was a standard ballooning competitive task of that period called a “hare and hound,” or in Albuquerque, “Roadrunner and Coyote.” A target balloon, the “hare” or “roadrunner,” takes off and flies for about a half hour before landing and laying out an X-shaped target. The rest of the balloons, called “hounds” or “coyotes,” launch from the same location about 10 minutes after the hare and follow along, trying to get as close to the target as possible. Nowadays, many events feature a similar task called a “judge-declared goal,” where instead of following a “hare” balloon, pilots fly to preset goals or targets.

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Above: First Hot Air Balloon World Championships - 1973

World Championship Competitions When Albuquerque was chosen to host the World Hot Air Balloon Championships, Balloonmeister Ed Yost and Sid Cutter – the guy who’d almost never seen a balloon race – had to come up with world-class challenges to test the best pilots on the planet. Many of their early ideas were immediately shot down by the international ballooning federation because they involved maneuvers considered to be overly dangerous. (“And they were,” Sid admitted.) Once the bad ideas were weeded out, most of the tasks in the First Worlds involved flying specific flight profiles traced on a barograph, an analog barometerbased instrument which traces a balloon’s altitude over time (today, for similar tasks, balloon races use satellitebased GPS trackers). In addition to hare and hound and barograph-type tasks, the Second Worlds included a “Le Mans” race where teams had to inflate their balloons and fly first across a finish line, and an “Elbow” task where pilots had to fly a set distance in one direction and then achieve the greatest change in direction.

PHOTO: KIM VESELY

Above: Balloons approach the target in 2009.

He (She) Who Has the Most Fun Wins The years after the Second World Championships brought a large and deliberate shift in Balloon Fiesta competition and the atmosphere of the event in general. The 1976 Balloonmeister, Bob Ruppenthal, put it this way: “He who has the most fun wins,” and the competitive tasks he chose reflected this philosophy.

The tasks still tested a pilot’s ability to accurately and safely maneuver to a target, but with twists.

The Tumbleweed Drop may be the best-remembered task from this era. Pilots launched a set distance from the Balloon Fiesta field, harvested a tumbleweed, flew to the target, and dropped said tumbleweed. It soon became obvious that bigger, heavier tumbleweeds were less likely to drift with the wind on the way down than little bitty ones. So it wasn’t long before wily pilots started jettisoning tumbleweeds the size of Volkswagen Beetles onto the targets. All well and good if the balloon

was actually over the target, but it created a problem if the giant weed landed outside the target area on, well, something it shouldn’t have landed on. So within a few years the tumbleweeds gave way to lighter scoring materials, such as ping pong balls with streamers and large film boxes (remember those?) . . . but serious pilots complained that these lightweight objects reacted too unpredictably when falling towards the target through changing winds at different altitudes.

Another event that didn’t turn out too well was a variation where the targets were inflated toy balloons tethered above the ground, and pilots had to pop the balloon to reveal a prize as they flew by. To accomplish this task, each pilot was issued an “official popper,” a skewer with a tag on it for the pilot’s name.

Unfortunately, the poppers weren’t very effective at impaling a moving toy balloon on a string from a moving balloon. And if the poppers were not well-secured in the

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50 Years of Balloon Fiesta Champions 1972 1973 1975 1978 1979 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

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Don Piccard Denny Floden (World Champion) David Schaffer (World Champion) Gary deKoevend Erwin Oertli John Wright George Hahn Roger Hoppe Owen Keown Dan Brown Joe Brown George Dennis Robert Boyd Joe Heartsill Olivier Roux-Devillas Chip Zodrow Frank Wechter Chris Smith Gary Tarter Bruce Bussey Brad Hyde Peter Scherm Steve Jones George Thomas Mike Bauwens Joel Sturdevant Wynn Gustafson Mike Wilson John Petrehn Gary Cass Steve Lombardi Steve Lombardi John Petrehn Frank Dickey Brian Hill Joe Heartsill Paul Petrehn David Liberti Harold “Bubba” Cliver Rhett Heartsill Scott Allsup Maury Petrehn Maury Petrehn Chris Liberti No competition Zerek Welz

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

PHOTO: BILL WALTON FLYNT

Note: Some early years’ winners are missing from the Balloon Fiesta’s records.

Above: Over the target: note the size of the tumbleweed in relation to the basket!

basket when not in use, they had the potential to pop people or objects inside the basket, especially in a high wind landing. That competition was soon relegated to the official Sid Cutter competition task bad idea file.

But at least one new event was a hit. In 1978, the first Balloon Fiesta Key Grab caused a sensation, as pilots tried to fly to poles on the field and snatch a set of keys to a vehicle off the top of a pole. Nobody got the keys that first year, but over the years a number of skilled (and lucky?) pilots won vehicles. This event – now known as the “Ring Toss” -- still endures today, but instead of grabbing a set of keys, pilots now drop rings over the top of the pole to earn prizes.

Today’s Balloon Fiesta Tasks In the past 20 years, the Balloon Fiesta competition needle has moved back to the “more serious” side of the scale. Tasks more closely resemble the “fly in” tasks used in sanctioned regional and national competitions.

There’s a lot more to the games balloonists play than fun and prizes. Flying a balloon from a long distance away to a small target requires skill and discipline, and helps pilots hone the skills they must use any time they fly in order to effectively use the wind to maneuver safely to a landing site. It’s a fun way for Balloon Fiesta guests to watch pilots demonstrate the proficiency required to fly safely and create the magic behind the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

PHOTO: VICTOR BANTA

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Competition flights take place on weekdays during the Balloon Fiesta, with pilots flying a series of tasks:

Above: The Ring Toss.

The “Ring Toss” is occasionally called the “key grab,” because the prize atop the pole may be the keys to a new truck, car, or house. Begun in 1978, for more than 30 years this type of competition has been a signature event featuring some of the Balloon Fiesta’s most exciting moments. Pilots must launch at least one mile away from the field in any direction and use the winds to maneuver their balloon to the poles erected at Balloon Fiesta Park. The poles contain cash and prizes, and to win the pilot or passenger must place a ring over the top of the 30-foot pole.

The “Balloon Fiesta Drop” (abbreviated, tonguein-cheek, “BFD”) requires pilots to launch a minimum of one mile away and drop markers on an “X”-shaped target on the field. Closest to the center of the “X” wins – and the difference is often measured in hundredths of an inch!

The "Minimum Double Drop” is a variation of the Balloon Fiesta Drop, but with the challenge of having to drop two markers in order to earn a score. Two “V” shaped targets are set up facing each other in this manner: > <. The pilot must drop one baggie inside each “V”; markers closest to the point of the “Vs” win. A drop outside the “V” does not score.

Fore! That object flying at the pin isn’t a golf ball – it’s

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Above: Balloon Fiesta Golf.

a baggie! In “Balloon Fiesta Golf,” the center of the target is a flag-marked golf hole, and closest to the pin wins.

In “Balloon Fiesta Hold ‘Em”, the targets are large playing cards, and pilots must try to build the best possible hand by dropping markers on oversized playing cards. In some years, “Balloon Fiesta Blackjack,” a variation of this competition, has been staged.

When it comes to recreating one of Sid Cutter’s fabled competitions, the “Sid Cutter Memorial” has everything but the water. Pilots drop their markers into or onto a boat which, in the original competition, was moored in a lake. (Photo on page 227.)

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

2022 Officers

Al Tetreault PRESIDENT

Judith K. Nakamura Richard W.“Dick” Rice VICE PRESIDENT

TREASURER

Neil Jackson SECRETARY

2022 Board Of Directors

J.R. Allison

Raymond Bair

Gary Bennett

Jay Czar

John C. Davis IV

Jim Garcia

Matt Guthrie

Steven A. Komadina, M.D.

Jeff Lawrence

Rodney A. May

John Sena

Mark Sullivan

Bill Walker

Doug Schwebach

Harry Season

Barbara Fricke

Cheryl Frost

Tom McConnell, M.D. Frank A. Mezzancello

Ty Young

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Board of Directors 1976-Present We thank the 142 individuals who have served during AIBF’s 50-year history as members of the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors:

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Ben Abruzzo

Sandy Dawson

Rick Johnson

Linda Rutherford

Richard Abruzzo

Bill Derr

Jean Jordan

Harold Schlather

J.R. Allison

Lynn Dick

Al Kinney

Jim Schumacher

Jim Amlong

Ann Dickey

Charlotte Kinney

Doug Schwebach

Patty Anderson

Gloria Dodson

Patrick Kloster

Harry Season

Bill Anthony

Gail Doyle

Dr. Steve Komadina

Cookie See

Scott Appelman

Bob Epstein

Jeff Lawrence

Vic Segura

James Baca

Carl Esbeck

Janet Long

John Sena

Sherri Bachtell Moore

Dave Finley

John Lynch

Clyde Sharrer

Ray Bair

Barbara Fricke

Jim MacDonald

Jim Shiver

Roger Baldwin

Barie Fritz

Doug March

Steve Shope

James Barela

Cheryl (Lété) Frost

Ellie Mason

Gail Short

Sam Baxter

Steve Gammill

Chuck Mason

Linda Smith

Mary Beck

Felix Garcia

Rod May

Bill Squire

Ron Behrmann

Jim Garcia

Dr. Tom McConnell

Peggy Stevens

Gary Bennett

Art Gardenswartz

Lloyd McKee

Rod Stewart

Dick Blondefield

Milt Garrett

Pamela Metz

Jeff Stocker

Wayne Bond

Brad Gibbs

Frank Mezzancello

Deborah Stone

Art Bouffard

Karen Glaser

Ned Miller

Mark Sullivan

Pat Brake

Cheryl Goettsche

Sandra Miller

Harry Summers

Sam Brown

Lynda Grasty

Robert Moore

Art Swenka

Frank Bruno

Dorothy Gruber

Steve Morgan

Kathy Tennies

Gene Buescher

Matt Guthrie

Pat Mosher

Al Tetreault

Beverly Bull

George Hahn

Brian Moynier

Tim Thorsen

Marilea D. Bush

Bruce Hale

Judith K. Nakamura

Sharon Ulibarri

Dick Butterfield

Charlsie Hare

Anna Nalley

Kim Vesely

Chet Caldwell

Jim Harrington

Jim Paxton

Bill Walker

Ron Caldwell

Charlie Hines

Betty Perkins

Henry Willis

Chuck Clark

Jacqueline Hockey

Rayburn, Carol

Mark Wilson

Aubrey Cookman

Phil Hontz

Pat Raymond

Rick Ximenes

Neida Courtney

Ann Hood

Dick Rice

Ty Young

Cynthia Cranston

Barbara Hooe

Mike Rice

Scott Cummings

Virginia Huffman

Judy Roberts

Sid Cutter

Betty Hutchinson

Bob Ruppenthal

Jay Czar

Neil Jackson

Marge Ruppenthal

Doug Davis

Bobby John

Pam Ruppenthal

John C. Davis, IV

Lona Johnson

Chuck Russell, Jr.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

2022 Staff

Amanda Brady

Taylor Caldwell

Celia Capron

Curt Dahlquist

Damian Duran-Arias

Jennifer Garcia

TRANSPORTATION MANAGER

RECEPTIONIST

SPONSOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE

WAREHOUSE MANAGER

FIELD MANAGER

ASSOCIATE EVENT DIRECTOR

Tom Garrity

Shamaine Giannini

Martha Gonzales

Samantha Greenwald

Erica Hahn

Tracey Hawkins

MEDIA DIRECTOR

VIP HOSPITALITY MANAGER

CONTROLLER

NAVIGATOR MANAGER

CONCESSIONS & ARTISANS MANAGER

SPONSORSHIP SALES ASSISTANT

Chani Kaibetoney

Mike McKnight

Andie Mercer

Amanda Molina

Lisa Mulder

Sam Parks

ASSISTANT MERCHANDISE MANAGER

IS MANAGER

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE

MERCHANDISE MANAGER

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Stephanie Prendergast

Angela Sanchez

Jennifer Schurman

Paul R. Smith

Ken Tuley

Sean Wallace

SPONSORSHIP SALES DIRECTOR

BOOKKEEPER

RV MANAGER

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

VIDEO PRODUCER

PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR

2022 Photographers

2022 Balloon Fiesta Live! Hosts and PA Announcers

Victor Banta Tom Ewart Triston Garcia Don Henderson Scott Hughes

Art Lloyd, Jr. Glen Moyer

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THE 2010s: 2010-2019

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The

2010S B

y 2010, the Balloon Fiesta we know today was mostly in place, an oasis from a topsyturvy, seemingly increasingly polarized national and world climate. Through its history, the Balloon Fiesta has remained remarkably removed from the disputes of life outside the confines of Balloon Fiesta Park. People may not agree about the President or much of anything else, but they pretty much can agree that balloons are really cool to look at and a whole lot of fun.

Through the second decade of the 2000s, the Balloon Fiesta continued to focus on security and safety and further improving the experience for participants and guests. The opening of the Sid Cutter Pilots' Pavilion, in mid-decade, and the Balloon Museum a decade before, are the most visible improvements to the Park, but not the only ones, and there will be more to come.

By 2019, the Balloon Fiesta was already preparing for its 50th year, then just two years away. Like the rest of the country, little did we know of the surprises the beginning of the next decade would bring.

PHOTO BY VICTOR BANTA

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THE 2010s: 2010-2019

2010

When people think of Balloon Glows, they generally expect them to be held in the evenings. But in 2010, the Balloon Fiesta decided to try something new: a Morning Glow, sponsored by Krispy Kreme. The morning glow balloons inflate shortly after Dawn Patrol.

But instead of flying away like the Dawn Patrol does, the morning glow balloons remain on the field for guests’ enjoyment during the lull between the Dawn Patrol’s departure and the beginning of balloon inflations for the mass ascensions.

Sadly, 2010 was founder Sid Cutter’s last Balloon Fiesta. As always, he was cheerful and actively involved in the event, but he had been battling cancer for some time and did not live to see the Balloon Fiesta’s 40th year. The disappearance of Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer Davis, while flying in the Gordon Bennett in Europe, also cast a shadow over an otherwise joyous event.

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2011

The ballooning community in Albuquerque began the 2011 Balloon Fiesta with heavy hearts. For the first time founder Sid Cutter would not be there to fly with them, having lost his battle with cancer in May. The Balloon Fiesta dedicated its 40th year to Sid, and during the opening ceremonies paid tribute to him and other departed balloonists.

The Balloon Fiesta celebrated its 40th year with the publication of a book, The World Comes to Albuquerque: The Dream Takes Flight, recounting the history

and beauty of the event. The book won numerous awards and is the definitive history of the Balloon Fiesta up to that point in time. The Balloon Fiesta’s Heritage Committee has since collaborated on two additional books, 2016’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and 2022’s 50 Years of Magic.

As flying events began, the Balloon Fiesta’s first second-generation balloonmeister was in charge.

Neida Courtney-Bueno’s mom, also named Neida, had been balloonmeister in 1983 and 1984; now “Neida Kid” followed in her footsteps and demonstrated the prowess of a new generation of balloonists in Albuquerque.

2012

New Mexico celebrated the centennial of statehood in 2012 – the 47th state was admitted to the union in 1912 – and Balloon Fiesta celebrated along with the rest of the state. The Balloon Fiesta gives people one more reason to discover the Land of Enchantment in all its beauty and diversity – with a built-in party to boot, complete with balloons.

It’s difficult now to remember what Albuquerque was like in October before Balloon Fiesta. The New Mexico State Fair was the big fall season draw, and October was the time everybody took a deep breath and time off after the fair, and got rested up for the busy holiday season. Then came the Balloon Fiesta, drawing tens of thousands of people into Albuquerque and the state to see the sights, scarf down some green (or red) chile, and of course watch balloons.

Today’s Balloon Fiesta brings hundreds of millions of dollars into New Mexico’s economy and joy to the faces of the tens of thousands of visitors who attend the event every year. It changed Albuquerque and New Mexico forever – and for the better.

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2013

Balloons and music somehow go together.

The late NBC news correspondent Jack Perkins, after visiting the 1977 Balloon Fiesta, noted that it’s impossible to watch balloons without hearing music. What kind of music depends on what you like – but you’ll hear music!

Musical acts, from Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits to Three Dog Night to local high school and middle school bands, have always been part of Balloon Fiesta.

But in 2013, country music fans rejoiced at the addition of Music Fiesta to the Balloon Fiesta’s attractions. The concert, held the final Saturday afternoon of the event, features headliners on the way up the charts. The first Music Fiesta Headliner in 2013 was pop and country music superstar Darius Rucker. To learn more about this year’s Music Fiesta, visit page 22.

In addition to the big Music Fiesta concert, throughout the week the Balloon Fiesta’s Main Street Stage features a wide variety of local musical acts, variety performances, and visiting bands, including outstanding armed forces bands and performing groups.

2014

The Balloon Fiesta has always been a volunteer-driven organization. The majority of the people you meet at Balloon Fiesta Park – from Zebras to greeters to chase crews to the people who run the RV lots, and drive the shuttles – are Navigators, the Balloon Fiesta term for volunteers. Some, including almost all the flight operations staff and officials, are in highly technical positions.

The members of the Board of Directors are also all Navigators. There are fewer than two dozen paid permanent staff. But the Balloon Fiesta never would

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get off the ground without Navigators.

2014 saw the retirement of one of the Balloon Fiesta’s great Navigators, Tom Rutherford. Tom’s story is told in more detail elsewhere in this publication, but he was working in radio at the time he became part of the Balloon Fiesta.

He became a pilot and Sid Cutter’s business partner, and later served in the New Mexico State Legislature and on the Bernalillo County Commission.

For more than a quarter-century, Tom was the Balloon Fiesta’s golden voice, commentating for KOAT and serving as event announcer, notably with Glen Moyer.

If you’d like to become a Navigator, it’s easy to sign up! All the information you need is on the Balloon Fiesta website at balloonfiesta.com/Volunteers-New.

2015

The success of Troy Bradley’s and Leonid Tiukhtyaev’s Two Eagles transpacific gas balloon flight in January of 2015 set an optimistic tone for the whole year. And when Balloon Fiesta time rolled around, a wonderful new on-field facility was there to greet pilots and guests: the Sid Cutter Pilots’ Pavilion. The 12,000 square foot facility (with bathrooms!) replaces the big temporary tent used as pilot headquarters in previous years. A statue

by Reynaldo “Sonny” Rivera of Sid in one of his favorite flying poses, with his dogs Sombra and Coco along for the ride, greets visitors.

Sid’s wife, Jewel, worked alongside Sid on the Balloon Fiesta for many years and today is still hard at it. She recalls that when she once complained about how hard it was, Sid replied, “But look how many people we we’re making happy.” Sid left quite a legacy to

Albuquerque (see the articles beginning on page 36), but if there’s any one piece of that legacy that makes him smile in heaven, this would probably be it.

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2016

In 2016, the Balloon Fiesta hosted its first national championship event since 1973, when the U.S. teams competed for the right to represent America in the Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Championships.

More than a dozen of the nation’s leading female pilots vied for the title at the U.S. Women’s Nationals, held separately from the Balloon Fiesta’s regular competition events. The winner was Cheri White, from Texas, who had also finished third earlier that year in the Women’s World Championships in Lithuania.

Cheri is also a highly respected gas balloon competitor who, with flying partner Mark Sullivan, is a two-time America’s Challenge champion.

2017

In 2017, in an increasingly digital world, a logical next step for Balloon Fiesta was to grow its electronic footprint.

This included providing pilots with updated weather information from a network of weather stations, interactive maps showing their balloon’s position in relation to restricted landing areas, and text reminders and safetyrelated updates. For the public, website upgrades, social media, online ticket purchases, an online store, and more enhanced the guest experience.

The worldwide reach of the Balloon Fiesta grew with the inauguration of Balloon Fiesta Live!, streamed coverage via YouTube of all 14 Balloon

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Fiesta sessions. European gas balloonists were especially excited to be able to view the launch of the America’s Challenge live – and what a race it was!

Switzerland’s Nicolas Tièche and Laurent Sciboz annihilated the competition and the record books with an astounding 3,771 km (2,276 mi.) flight to near Labrador City, Quebec. You can read more about Balloon Fiesta Live! on page 240 — and watch past events on the Balloon Fiesta YouTube channel.

2018

The Balloon Fiesta has long had a special relationship with Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, dating back to the very first Coyote-Roadrunner (or is it Roadrunner-Coyote?) balloon race in 1972. With Warner Bros.’ permission, the two famous scoundrels decorated Roadrunner II, the local balloon club’s balloon that was a prominent fixture in the early years of Balloon Fiesta.

Leading up to the 50th anniversary, the Balloon Fiesta began working with the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity on a series of posters featuring the delightful rascals. The series began in 2018, and was originally intended to be in four parts, telling a story about Road Runner and Coyote at Balloon Fiesta. When the 2020 event was postponed, the third poster in the series had already been issued, so the series was quickly expanded to five to extend the story into the new Balloon Fiesta 50th year in 2022. These collector’s items are on sale in the Balloon Fiesta Stuff online store, under the merchandise tab on the Balloon Fiesta

2019

2019 brought an exciting new evening attraction to Balloon Fiesta, the Team Fastrax aerial exhibition team. This precision team of skydivers brought the American flag into Balloon Fiesta Park to open the evening events. After the Balloon Glows and Glowdeos, they made a second jump, this one featuring pyrotechnics!

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Voices and Video:

Field Announcers and Balloon Fiesta Live!

By Ken Tuley

Above: Field announcers Glen Moyer and Tom Rutherford, 24 years into their partnership, on the then-still Top Secret Announce Tower.

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allooning is a multi-sensory activity, from the beautiful colors to the smell of propane and the outdoors, to the sounds of the burners, and in the case of a balloon rally, the PA (public address) announcer. There’s nothing like being on the field in person, but for those who can’t get to Albuquerque, Balloon Fiesta Live! is the next best thing. This livestream combines years of experience from the event’s on-field announcers with the technology now available to provide high-quality live coverage of the Balloon Fiesta for balloon enthusiasts worldwide.

As you have probably read elsewhere, the very first Balloon Fiesta was really a birthday party for KOB Radio.

No one seems to remember there being an announcer at Coronado Center in 1972, however, film shot of the event suggests there was a microphone with dignitaries and probably some sort of announcements made by radio

station folks. On the other hand, no one imaged that 20,000 people would show up for the event.

Tom Rutherford is generally thought of as being the first Voice of Fiesta, but in those early years he was a corporate balloon pilot and flew in the Balloon Fiesta.

Although Tom was known for grabbing a mic and explaining ballooning to anyone in earshot, there is no record of who the official announcer(s) may have been in the first few years. The first official record of announcers at Balloon Fiesta shows up in the 1980 program, listing Rutherford, Paul Douglas and Lew Witz as announcers, with Doug Davis listed as part of the team in 1985.

Somewhere along the line, Rutherford became a reporter and commentator for KOAT-TV’s live weekend broadcasts, creating a vacancy on the announce team on the weekends. Enter Glen Moyer, a balloonist who got his start in the sport as a TV reporter covering balloon rallies. Starting in 1990, Moyer announced on weekends

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Above: The new dynamic duo, Art Lloyd, Jr. and Glen Moyer, on the now not-so-secret announce tower.

and flew his balloon during the week, while Rutherford was the PA announcer during the week, and on TV for the weekends. In 1995, this tag team became more of a duet, with both men on the tower for all sessions.

The purpose of the announcers was to point out the launch of sponsored balloons. However, at the old Balloon Fiesta Park south of the current site the team, along with their spotter, Glenda Watson, was on scaffolding behind the Main Street Stage, which was located at mid-field. Since the sponsor balloons typically took off from the south end of the field and flew south, away from the announcers, this was a less-than-ideal setup. With the move to the current field, it quickly become obvious that the ideal spot for the announcers would be on the south end of the field, and there just happened to be a nice roof on top of the building there.

Just one small problem. The building is directly in the path of ascending balloons, and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration, in charge of air safety) was concerned that balloons might not gain enough altitude fast enough to avoid hitting the building and injuring the people on the roof. It took some negotiations, but the FAA finally allowed the announcers and only the announcers on the roof. No one else was allowed, and people who managed to get up there were promptly chased away. This noaccess led to Moyers and Rutherford referring to their location as the Top Secret announce tower.

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This arrangement continued for a number of years until, on the 25th anniversary of their being together, Rutherford stepped down from his partnership with Moyer. Three people with media backgrounds were asked to “fill-in” for the 2014 Balloon Fiesta. Larry Ahrens, who had a long history with Balloon Fiesta through his position with KOB Radio did a few sessions. Kim Vesely, long-time pilot and America’s Challenge media liaison, did a few sessions. And Art Lloyd Jr, also a pilot and long-time Balloon Fiesta volunteer, did the majority of the sessions.

Lloyd recalls it being a proposed as a “fill-in” slot. In reality, it turned out to be more of an audition to replace Rutherford. Officials said it was a tough decision, but in the end, Art Lloyd Jr., was chosen to replace Rutherford on the tower.

But that was only the start of bigger changes to come.

In 2016, as part of an effort to better coordinate the PA announcing with the officials' launching the balloon of the day at mid-field and the performing of the national anthem on the Main Street Stage, Balloon Fiesta added cameras and a live video stream to the mix. Due to his television experience, Lloyd was tapped to produce the video production. It was bare bones: three cameras with Moyer and Lloyd announcing from the rooftop. Ahrens provided relief to allow Moyer and Lloyd to take a couple of sessions off, and Vesely provided information on

PHOTO: VICTOR BANTA

In 2020 COVID challenged everyone. After months of back and forth, the decision to postpone the actual event was made in the interest of safety. Everyone was devastated and couldn’t imagine surviving an October without a Balloon Fiesta. The solution? Offer a virtual Balloon Fiesta, via Balloon Fiesta Live! Windfire Productions had just taken over control of Albuquerque’s community access cable channels, which set the stage, literally. Balloon Fiesta Live! set up shop in a newly renovated studio to produce 14 live streams, timed to what would have been the actual event sessions.

It was quite an undertaking. Lloyd produced and anchored from the set in Albuquerque. Moyer and his cat, Ranger, joined via Zoom from his home in Louisiana.

The team showed edited video highlights from past PHOTO: BOBBIE TULEY

Above: The “competition cam”: Lloyd explains the Sid Cutter Memorial Task, where the target is a boat.

America’s Challenge. Due to the uncertainty of how it would work, the live stream was not announced until the Friday before the 2016 event. And while the production had some technical issues, the online audience logged in by the tens of thousands.

With all the knowledge and experience gained in that first “pilot” year, Lloyd and Balloon Fiesta made plans for a truly professional experience moving forward. Windfire Productions was hired to provide the technical expertise for the stream. Graphics and a show open and close were produced. A dedicated line to the internet was added to ensure the live stream would be reliable.

Additional cameras and a master control room in a trailer were brought on site to handle the show and stream. Once again, the shows drew thousands. In fact, it was calculated that as many people tuned in to watch as showed up on the field that year.

The next year, an additional camera was added to allow for video from the basket of a balloon. Ruth Lind, a hot air and gas balloonist and former editor of the national publication Ballooning, and Kim Vesely joined the team as reporters. Both usually work the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Event, but with no event in 2018, they needed something to do. They proved to be a huge asset to the on-air team.

In 2019, Balloon Fiesta Live! expanded its reach by adding a low power TV station. In addition to streaming live on Balloon Fiesta’s website, YouTube and Facebook, people with an over-the-air antenna within about 4 miles of the Balloon Fiesta Park could now watch on their television. This allowed RVers and hospitality tents to install TVs to watch Balloon Fiesta Live!, instead of just listening to the PA speakers. Coverage of competition got a boost by putting Lloyd and a camera crew in the middle of the competition field, so viewers got a close up look and listen to balloons coming into the target.

Above: Balloon Fiesta Live! pandemic edition: Lloyd in Albuquerque, and Moyer in Louisiana

Balloon Fiestas. Just like during a live event, guests joined in, either in person or via Zoom. The team also tapped into the opportunity created by the “Lifting Spirits Around the World,” movement, where balloonists flew in their hometowns during Balloon Fiesta week to thank first responders. Pictures and tapes and even live video were brought into the show of balloon flights and events around the world.

At one point, Moyer and Lloyd counted down an

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TOP: Merchandise on display. Above: The Balloon Fiesta Live! announce team: Kim Vesely, Art Lloyd, Jr,, Glen Moyer, and Ruth Lind have a combined total of more than 130 years of broadcast experience; with each of them also being balloon pilots, that’s another 130 years of ballooning experience including both hot air and gas balloons

all-burn for a group of balloonists doing an impromptu Balloon Glow at an Albuquerque parking lot. Remember, Moyer’s in Louisiana, Lloyd’s in a downtown Albuquerque studio and the balloons are on the other side of town. Bringing all these live elements together technologically rivaled the ability of the best TV stations in the country to produce such a live show. The 2020 Balloon Fiesta Live! shows captured the attention of the local media as they were featured on numerous TV newscasts.

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There was an additional side benefit as well. One of the live segments on the show was a merchandise or shopping segment featuring Balloon Fiesta merchandise ordered before the postponement, along with limitededition “Balloon Fiesta Siesta” collectibles. Viewers could see the merchandise on the show and purchase items online through the website. In effect this provided a “re-launch” of the Balloon Fiesta Stuff online store and provided some needed revenue to Balloon Fiesta.

Fortunately, in 2021, things returned more to normal.

The full announce and production teams were back, with thousands of people tuning in. Support volunteers Bobbie and Greg kept the “talent” looking and sounding good. For the 50th Balloon Fiesta anniversary in 2022, we plan to add some video history moments as well as expanding our reach through additional over-the-air outlets, to make the broadcast available to anyone in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe area in addition to the traditional streaming locations.

Watch the shows, or use the QR code to see the more than 200 hours of live shows. And catch the live stream on the Balloon Fiesta’s Website, YouTube and Facebook channels, Community Access (Cable) channels, and our low power TV station.

Balloon Fiesta staff video and digital content producer Ken Tuley is better known by his nom-debroadcast Art Lloyd, Jr. He’s been involved with Balloon Fiesta as a volunteer and balloon pilot for 40 years.

1000 Legion Place, Suite 725 | Orlando, FL 32801 CustomMedia.Golfweek.com The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta official program is published

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Worlds of Balloon Fiesta® 246

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iterally thousands of people are involved in putting on the Balloon Fiesta. The balloonists – pilots and chase crews – and some of the officials are “onstage” – on the launch field, where the ballooning action is.

But what goes on “backstage” is just as important.

During the nine days of Balloon Fiesta, Balloon Fiesta Park literally becomes a small city, with everything that entails: sanitation, public safety, transportation, shops, fast-food restaurants, and even thousands of people living on site in the various RV parks. Some of these areas are featured in other program articles, and others are shown here. We can’t include every area, but here’s just some of what goes on behind the scenes at Balloon Fiesta.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

A Year-Round Presence:

The Balloon Museum

P

PHOTO BY VICTOR BANTA

eople often wonder about the big building to the south of the Balloon Fiesta launch field.

Those who know what it is often think it is run by the Balloon Fiesta.

That big building has a big name: the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. It is part of the City of Albuquerque’s museum system (not run by the Balloon Fiesta), but it is located in Balloon Fiesta Park and, of course, has a close connection with both the Balloon Fiesta and the ballooning community in Albuquerque.

The Museum is named after Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson, two of the three men (the third was Larry Newman) who were first to cross the Atlantic Ocean by balloon. Both later went on to achieve other epic “firsts” in ballooning – you can read more about it on page 188. Both tragically died in separate aviation accidents: Maxie while flying in the Gordon Bennett balloon race in Europe, and Ben in a small plane accident in Albuquerque.

In 1984, the year after Maxie’s death, the Anderson family began looking into the possibility of creating a museum to honor his memory and to preserve and promote the culture, art, science, and history of the world’s oldest form of aviation. After Ben passed away in 1985, the Anderson and Abruzzo families joined forces. It took two decades to realize the dream, with a lot of support from city and state public officials as well as the local ballooning community. But finally, in 2005, the new Balloon Museum opened its doors to the public.

The Museum contains exhibits about the history of ballooning and the epic flights of Abruzzo, Anderson, and others (including some of the gondolas and flight gear actually used during their record-breaking exploits). It also

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has a strong educational emphasis, offering interactive exhibits for children and families and a Weather Lab. In the Museum’s offsite archives, its curators collect and conserve a large collection of balloon systems and artifacts. This year, special exhibits honor Balloon Fiesta founder Sid Cutter and recount the 50-year history of the Balloon Fiesta.

The Museum offers expanded hours and hospitality packages during Balloon Fiesta, but it’s open all year and gives ballooning a yearround presence to be enjoyed by both visitors to Albuquerque and residents. It also offers special events throughout the year and gratefully accepts donations through memberships and other fundraising opportunities. The City of Albuquerque’s Balloon Museum website and the Balloon Museum Foundation website both offer much more detailed information about the Museum, its programs, and additional material related to exhibits.

Balloon Fiesta® Photography Tips:

Have Fun and Be Unique Here are some tips for getting amazing images of this spectacular event!

Dawn Patrol

Now That You See What A Pilot Sees

Rising into the dark skies each morning is the Dawn Patrol. At about 6:00 am every day, Dawn Patrol pilots launch into the sky with only their burners to light the way.

Pro Tip: Early in the morning, we suggest using a tripod and remote. If you use your tripod and have an IS lens, make sure you turn off the IS function while you shoot.

Since the balloons lift off while it’s still dark outside, a wide-angle lens is ideal.

Going on a balloon ride? Get your camera in either Auto or P (Program) Mode so you can focus on your aerial experience instead of the camera settings.

Pro Tips: Now would be a great time to bring a pointand-shoot. Neck straps and wrist straps are your best friend. With your camera properly secured to your person, you can feel more confident shooting extreme angles.

Mass Ascension Imagine seeing nothing but 600 brightly colored orbs and shape balloons where ever you look. Pilots will fire up their burners, shooting flames into the balloons to inflate them.

Pro Tips: Use a wide-angle lens to get photos of the ground activity. Use a telephoto-zoom lens to get detail shots or portraits of reactions in the crowd. Shooting with the sun rising behind the balloons will provide some beautiful silhouettes and add ambiance to the scene.

Special Shape Balloons The Special Shape Rodeo™ and Special Shape Glowdeo™ are big hits with kids of all ages!

Pro Tips: Frame other balloons with the ones in the foreground. Use special shape balloons as fun backdrops for family photos and selfies.

Balloon Glow® This sets the mood for a magical evening. Don’t miss the random twinkling lights of balloons just before the order for an ”All Glow”, when a warm light illuminates the entire field.

Pro Tips: Adjust your angle. Set-up your gear with the main field in front of you and the mountainside behind you, for the best shots. Use a tripod and a wireless remote or cable release to reduce motion blur.

Fireworks Getting your camera dialed-in to the correct settings can make or break a fantastic light display.

Pro Tips: Fireworks need long exposure times, so use a tripod for this event. A remote or cable release prevents accidental camera shake to you get clear, sharp images.

Use a longer shutter speed to increase the trails of the fireworks.

Be Creative Balloons In Flight By this point in the morning, the horizon will be awash with vibrant colors as balloons inflate and take to the skies to fly across the valley.

Pro Tips: Once the sun is on the rise, try to shoot with the sun to your side or back. At this position you can use it to better show the curve of the balloons and illuminate their colors.

Whether you’re going for a day or the entire Balloon Fiesta, there are plenty of chances to grab amazing shots. While we’ve suggested some camera settings here, the ultimate goal is for you to have fun! Find your own style and see what you like best.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Pins, Patches and other Baubles of Affection

By Ty Young Updated from the 2010 Balloon Fiesta program

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PHOTO: RAY WATT

S

ince the start of ballooning in 1783, balloonists and observers alike have had their own personal ways of keeping their ballooning memories close at hand. While the most common form of memories are probably photographs, there is a large world of hobby enthusiasts that feverishly collect and treasure balloon pins.

Pins typically range in size from as small as ¼” all the way up to very rare examples checking in at over 8”. Pins are traditionally manufactured from some form of metal and a variant of enamel type materials that provide the colors on the pin.

Early pins were primarily metals with very little if any color, varying from bronze to sterling silver or even solid gold. Later, a beautiful type of pin evolved called “cloisonné” which entailed the melting of glass type materials that are common in many types of jewelry.

True cloisonné pins are quite expensive to produce and in the 1980s, alternative forms started to appear to help keep the cost down and also provide a wider, broader scope of colors. Present day pins are limited only by the imagination, with bright colors, springs, flashing lights and other enhancements being commonplace.

The most common pins are often exact miniature representations of the balloons themselves. Some balloon owners choose to produce several different versions of their pins each year, some for people lucky enough to fly in the balloon, others for crew members and others that they might freely trade, sell or give away, and others that simply represent their balloon.

Though not all balloonists produce pins, most that do are usually happy to trade with collectors on the field.

The best time to trade with a pilot or crew member is either before inflation or, even better, after their flight is over and the work is done. The easiest way to obtain

Above: A young trader starting a pin collection at the Balloon Fiesta’s official Pin Trading event.

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PHOTO: KIM VESELY

one at all. Some individual pins a pin or start collecting during today bring more than $300 each Balloon Fiesta is by purchasing based on scarcity and demand. An pins from the official Balloon average pin will usually cost from Fiesta merchandise tents on the five to twenty dollars. field and/or from vendors on It’s a common sight to see Main Street. Buying two or three vests, hats and jackets covered provides extras that can be used from top to bottom with people’s as “traders”. complete collections, regardless Most ballooning events of value or maybe just one or produce “event” pins for the two of their favorites. Locals and event itself as well as events visitors alike always look forward within the event. The Balloon to local celebrity newscaster Steve Fiesta produces dozens of Stucker as he reports live from official pins for individual events, the field covered head to (nearly) officials groups like Safety toe with his favorite pins. Some Officers and “Zebras,” and more! people will happily trade what they The Balloon Fiesta’s website proudly display while others would includes a collectors page never dream of parting with even (https://balloonfiesta.com/1one of their many acquisitions. pins-archive) showing hundreds The Balloon Fiesta holds “balloon of official pins produced over the pin trading days” each year so event’s 50-year history; more are Above: Steve Stucker, festooned with pins! traders can get together and swap being added all the time as new pins, tell stories and catch up with pins are produced and old ones friends they may only see once a year at the event. surface.

Other forms of collectibles have become popular Sure, a picture is worth a thousand words, but just how much is a pin worth? As with anything, value is over the years including patches, posters and trading cards. Trading cards provide a more affordable item determined via supply and demand. Traders and for pilots and crews to give away to the growing collectors will search high and low for the “hot” number of balloon fanatics each year. Since 1979, pin each year at Balloon Fiesta. Those pins vary AIBF has produced an official poster for the event, each year from the obvious (Darth Vader) to the and they have become quite collectible in their own unexpected (official Pin Trading Day pins). Age is right. also a factor in value, as it is with most collectibles.

The true value associated with a particular pin or As time goes by, who knows where people display collectible should always be the great memories it or put them for safekeeping . The pin that you brings back every time you see it, wherever those might could find for $1 at seemingly every vendor’s booth in be.

1982 might run you $50 today, assuming you can find

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THE 2020s: 2020-2022

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lanning for the Balloon Fiesta® is a year-round undertaking, which begins just a couple of weeks and a few nights of sleep after the previous year’s Balloon Fiesta ends. The event’s small permanent staff and Board of Directors dissect what went well and can be improved from the previous year, and by the next New Years’, work on the next Balloon Fiesta is well underway.

But 2020 was different, as the global COVID pandemic shut down normal life not just in America, but around the world. Even ballooning was not immune, as the 49th Balloon Fiesta was postponed for a year, or took a “Fiesta Siesta,” as it came to be called. By the next October (2021), despite lingering effects of the pandemic, Balloon Fiesta was back, with additional safety and hygiene precautions.

Now, in 2022, the Balloon Fiesta celebrates not only its 50th event, but the 50th anniversary of that very first Balloon Fiesta at Coronado Center in 1972. It’s been quite a ride, and the only journey more exciting will be the years of beautiful balloon flights to come.

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THE 2020s: 2020-2022

2020

In March 2020, planning for that October’s Balloon Fiesta was well underway. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and everything changed. After months of work to determine if the event could go forward in 2020, the 49th Balloon Fiesta was postponed in the interest of safety.

Much of the merchandise for 2020 had already been ordered, and items that made it onto the market are collectors’ items today. Added “Balloon Fiesta Siesta” items commemorating the postponed event were an even bigger hit. And not all of Balloon Fiesta took a siesta – Balloon Fiesta Live! streamed new interviews and highlights of past events all nine days. Learn more about Balloon Fiesta Live! on page 240

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2021

After the off again, on again, and off again uncertainty of 2020 and the unprecedented postponement of Balloon Fiesta, everybody was more than ready for the 49th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®.

Some COVID precautions remained in place, notably mask wearing in tents and indoor spaces. Some large events, like the Music Fiesta, were put on hiatus for the year. Masks were optional in the open air on the field, but recommended in crowds.

The number of international balloonists attending dropped dramatically, since many countries still had travel restrictions in place.

But people were thrilled to see the Balloon Fiesta return. Many guests thanked the balloon teams for being there, saying they’d really missed their sky full of balloons. With preparations for the 50th Balloon Fiesta well underway, everyone looked forward to a party to rival the KOB Birthday Bash of 1972 that started it all.

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2022

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta celebrates its golden anniversary this year, the culmination of 50 years of bringing joy, delight, and magic to people in Albuquerque and around the world. As we do so, we look back on the past, but also eagerly await the future.

During the 2021 Balloon Fiesta, skilled craftspeople from Cameron Balloons, working in the Sid Cutter Pavilion, assembled the Balloon Fiesta’s new balloon, owned and flown by members of its Board of Directors.

Fiesta Gold , in addition to the event’s 50th anniversary logo, includes the images of the first 13 balloons to fly in the Balloon Fiesta, and on its crown, in silhouette, founder Sid Cutter, waving to the crowd. Those 13 original balloons represent 50 years of safe flights, soft landings, and that inexplicable

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sensation of being a child on the field, watching their balloon fly away and wishing they could fly with it. At Balloon Fiesta, you can.

Thousands of people – pilots, crews, sponsors (we welcome ExxonMobil as presenting sponsor this year), volunteers, vendors, law enforcement and first responders, and more – make this event possible every year, and we thank them. We look forward to making another 50 years and more of magic at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Fiesta de Los Globitos, the “Mini Balloon Fiesta”

By Sam Parks

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

PHOTO: SCOTT HUGHES

The tradition of adding new, fun, and exciting events to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is still alive and well today. Sam Parks, Balloon Fiesta’s Director of Operations and former Balloonmeister, describes how this new event for remote-controlled (RC) hot air balloons began and is becoming the Balloon Fiesta’s latest – and popular! -- attraction.

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PHOTO: VICTOR BANTA

he concept of hosting a remote-control balloon rally during Balloon Fiesta came from a web site where I learned about a Guinness world record being established when 50 remote control balloons were inflated at the same location. I then learned that several American balloon pilots actually own and operate RC balloons. A few enthusiasts have even brought them to Balloon Fiesta over the years, as curiosities and toys to play with during post-flight tailgating.

Without much expectation for its first year, we organized a rally of ¼ scale hot air balloons to participate during three days of the 2021 Balloon Fiesta. I was pleasantly surprised when over 30 RC balloon owners responded to our invitation.

This year Balloon Fiesta will again host the Fiesta de Los Globitos Remote Control Balloon Rally with 83 balloons, which will be the largest gathering of remote-controlled balloons in the world. I am thrilled at how much interest there has been in RC balloons since our first rally in 2021.

The balloons are built from lighter weight nylon and use a small propane burner to provide the heat for lift. The burner is radio controlled remotely by the operator and the balloons are typically tethered to the ground. When the RC balloon operator adds more heat the balloon will rise.

Allowing the balloon to cool off causes the balloon to descend.

Remote control ballooning does not require a FAA pilot’s license, and people of all ages can enjoy ballooning on a smaller scale. I know several FAA-certified balloon pilots who have built a miniature RC version of their full-size balloon, a hot new trend among balloonists in Albuquerque and elsewhere. Some are so realistic that it’s difficult, at a distance, to tell them apart from their full-size cousins. The average cost to buy a remotecontrol balloon is $5,000.

Balloon Fiesta is very pleased to grow the sport of ballooning through the Fiesta de Los Globitos, which is Spanish for party of the little balloons.

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

People Who Make It Happen:

The Balloon Fiesta® Wall of Fame Information compiled by Charlotte Kinney, Tom McConnell, and Kim Vesely of the AIBF Heritage Committee

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ehind every Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta are thousands of people – pilots, crews, volunteers (Navigators), staff, law enforcement and military personnel, city and county workers, sponsors, vendors, civic organizations, and many others – each of whom makes a special and unique contribution to the magic.

Through its “Wall of Fame,” the Balloon Fiesta recognizes some of those people, individuals whose exceptional efforts have played pivotal roles in the creation and continued success of the event. The Wall of Fame recognizes: • Inductees into the Balloon Fiesta Hall of Fame • Recipients of the Heritage Award • Presidents of the AIBF Board of Directors • Balloonmeisters (the lead official in charge of flying operations) • Executive Directors, Directors of Operations and Event Directors (the highestranking staff members)

Ben Abruzzo Hall of Fame 1985 As co-captain of the first manned gas balloon transits of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Ben Abruzzo’s record-setting flights put Albuquerque on the ballooning map; he also triumphed in the Friends of Gordon Bennett gas balloon race.

Richard Abruzzo Hall of Fame 2011 In his father’s adventurous tradition, Richard Abruzzo set dozens of world records, completed a transatlantic crossing of his own, and won the Coupe Gordon Bennett (2004), five America’s Challenge gas balloon races, and two Balloon Fiesta Key Grabs.

Maxie Anderson Hall of Fame 1985 Maxie Anderson focused world attention on Albuquerque as he co-captained the first transatlantic crossing, completed the first non-stop transcontinental flight, and took the first steps leading to successful nonstop around-the-world balloon flights.

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Scott Appelman Heritage Award 2013; Hall of Fame 2017

Jim Benson Hall of Fame 1998

Scott Appelman played a key role in creating some of the Balloon Fiesta’s biggest events, including the Balloon Glows and the Special Shape Rodeo and Glowdeo. Thousands of passengers experience the thrill of flying in the Balloon Fiesta through his company, Rainbow Ryders.

Jim “Badtoe” Benson was the Balloon Fiesta’s first full time Field Manager; Jim was pivotal in laying the foundation for the infrastructure at the current Balloon Fiesta Park and the groundwork for turning field management into a professional operation.

Jim Baca Hall of Fame 1998

Wally Book Balloonmeister 2001-02 Heritage Award 2014

In 1975, as an aide to then-Mayor Harry Kinney, Jim Baca was one of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s original incorporators. In the early years he coordinated city services supporting the Balloon Fiesta, and later served as Mayor of Albuquerque.

Ray Bair President 2009-10; Hall of Fame 2012 Balloon Fiesta past president and a former FAA Designated Examiner who has certified dozens of balloon pilots, Ray Bair is a former head of the America’s Challenge gas race Command Center and, in 2021 at age 80, became the oldest pilot to place in the top three overall in Balloon Fiesta competition.

One of the Balloon Fiesta’s earliest pilots, Wally Book began flying in the event in 1974, but is best known as a staunch advocate for pilot safety. He’s served for more than 30 years as a Safety Officer, was Balloonmeister in 20012002, and as a fluent French speaker has been an ambassador for international pilots.

Pat Brake Balloonmeister 1996-97 Event Direrctor 1998-2010 Among a long line of strong female leaders at Balloon Fiesta, Pat Brake stands out, having been Balloonmeister, Event Director, and board member. In 2005, she became the first woman to ever serve as Event Director for the Coupe Gordon Bennett, the world’s oldest air race.

Jodi Baugh Hall of Fame 1999

Dick Brown Heritage Award 2012; Hall of Fame 2016

The dynamic Jodi Baugh transformed the Balloon Fiesta’s marketing and advertising structure in the 1990s, creating a sponsorship structure which helped to establish the Balloon Fiesta’s financial security and improved amenities for sponsors and guests.

Another early Balloon Fiesta flyer, Dick Brown is one of the Balloon Fiesta’s leading historians and experts on ballooning. A former editor of Ballooning magazine, Dick has contributed dozens of articles to the Balloon Fiesta program and is co-author of three books about the Balloon Fiesta.

Sam Baxter Hall of Fame 2011

Dick Butterfield Balloonmeister 1990-91

Patriarch of the “Adams Family” ballooning group, for more than a decade Field Manager Sam Baxter led the team that turns Balloon Fiesta Park into a “city” capable of supporting 100,000 people and safely launching more than 500 balloons.

Longtime safety officer and 1990-91 Balloonmeister, Dick Butterfield is another strong advocate for safety. His alter ego, “Captain Stupid,” jolted sleepy balloon pilots awake to hear his safety messages (and occasionally get taken to task) at dozens of early morning pilot briefings.

Gary Bennett President 2006-07

J.W. Byrd Hall of Fame 2004

Albuquerque businessman and balloonist Gary Bennett has served on the Balloon Fiesta Board since 1999. A real estate developer by trade, he is also a competitive balloonist and former President of Top Gun, the Albuquerque competition ballooning club.

One of Albuquerque’s early pilots and earliest Balloon Fiesta Safety Officers, J.W. Byrd also was a pilot examiner and national competition official. At Balloon Fiesta, he was the scoring officer in charge of calculating competition results, and a mentor and friend to hundreds of balloonists.

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Jim Byrd Heritage Award 2020

Jay Czar President 2016-17

Jim Byrd followed in his father’s footsteps as a pilot and then as the Balloon Fiesta’s number-cruncher for both hot air and gas balloon competition; he is still the America’s Challenge scoring officer. Jim has spent years developing and refining the Balloon Fiesta’s scoring software.

2016-17 AIBF President Jay Czar was for many years the director of the Albuquerque International Sunport. The City of Albuquerque is an important partner in putting on a successful Balloon Fiesta, and Jay’s expertise helped facilitate that relationship.

Ron Caldwell Balloonmeister 1980

Carol Rymer Davis Hall of Fame 2005

In addition to serving as Balloonmeister and a safety officer and board member, Ron Caldwell leveraged his military connections to bring the Navy Leapfrogs and Army Golden Knights to the Balloon Fiesta, beginning a tradition of thrilling parachute exhibitions at the event.

Carol Rymer Davis, probably the most decorated female balloonist in history, is the only woman to date to win the Coupe Gordon Bennett, set world altitude, duration, & distance records, was a safety officer at Balloon Fiesta, and mentored a generation of balloonists. She will be inducted into the FAI Ballooning Hall of Fame this year.

Aubrey Cookman Hall of Fame 1998

John Davis President 1982; Hall of Fame 1985; Balloonmeister 1988-89; Heritage Award 2006

A retired journalist with a distinguished record, Aubrey Cookman was one of the Balloon Fiesta’s original incorporators and its first media director. He laid the foundation for a press operation which facilitates media coverage for hundreds of photographers and print and television journalists.

Neida Courtney Balloonmeister 1983-84

Don Draper Balloonmeister 1972

Neida Courtney is one of the earliest female balloon pilots in Albuquerque, and in 1983 became the second woman to serve as Balloonmeister. Neida also served on the board of directors and was instrumental in founding the Balloon Explorium, bringing children’s educational exhibits to the Balloon Fiesta.

The long line of Balloonmeisters begins with Don Draper, who with Sid Cutter ran the very first Balloon Fiesta in 1972. Don and Sid had 10 days to stage the event, and it is said that as they flew off in the lead balloon, Sid turned to Don and said, “Well, we’ve finally seen a balloon race.”

Neida Courtney-Bueno Balloonmeister 2011-12

Don Edwards Event Director 2010-15

“Neida Kid” to old-timers who remember when she was little, Neida Courtney-Bueno grew up at Balloon Fiesta, became a pilot, and was a launch officer, safety officer and Assistant Balloonmeister before becoming the Balloon Fiesta’s first second-generation Balloonmeister.

A veteran pilot and event organizer, Don Edwards joined the Balloon Fiesta in 2010 as Event Director. Don had flown in the Balloon Fiesta and the Special Shape Rodeo for many years and from time to time continues to participate in the event.

Sid Cutter Balloonmeister 1972, 1974-75 Executive Director 1973-75 Hall of Fame 1983; Heritage Award 2005

Paul Enz Balloonmeister 1981

“The father of us all,” Sid Cutter’s vision and imagination led directly to the creation of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Sid started and nurtured the Balloon Fiesta and the hundreds of Albuquerque balloonists whose expertise sustained the event. Read more about Sid on page 36.

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The Balloon Fiesta’s longest-serving Board member – more than 40 years – John Davis’s contributions to the event are too many to count. John and his wife Carol were among Albuquerque’s earliest balloonists, and as an instructor and FAA Designated Examiner, John certified dozens of balloon pilots.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Paul Enz was the Balloonmeister in 1981, one of the earliest years where the Balloon Fiesta began to incorporate other forms of flying for spectator entertainment. The “Wild Waco” air show featuring biplane aerobatics was one of these, and Paul flew as the wing walker in one of the shows.

Cheryl Frost Balloonmeister 2006-08

Charles Hines President 1977, 1985; Hall of Fame 1984

Cheryl Mathews Frost (Cheryl Lété) has been flying balloons since the 1980s and was Chief Safety Officer and Assistant Balloonmeister before guiding Balloon Fiesta flying events for three years as Balloonmeister. She still serves as a member of the AIBF Board of Directors.

A key figure in the Balloon Fiesta’s early history, Charlie Hines was on hand for the first Balloon Fiesta in 1972 and organized chase crews and volunteers in 1973 and 1974. When Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. began operations in 1976, Charlie became the organization’s very first President, and later served as Chairman.

Doug Gallagher Balloonmeister 1985

Jacqueline Hockey Hall of Fame 1992; Heritage Award 2016

The 1985 Balloonmeister, Doug Gallagher, came up through the ranks as a pilot and official and did a great Mr. Rogers impersonation (“can you say, ‘Balloon Fiesta?’”) Doug continues to serve the Balloon Fiesta as a safety officer, as he has for nearly four decades.

The gracious hostess to generations of participants and guests, Jacqueline Hockey established the event’s first hospitality suites, organized years worth of official galas, and still brings a continental flair to Balloon Fiesta events.

Matt Guthrie President 2020-21; Heritage Award 2017

Bruce King Hall of Fame 2010

Ballooning captivated Matt Guthrie at a very young age, and became for him both a hobby and a career. He was a launch director while still in his teens, earned his pilot license, and worked his way up through the Balloon Fiesta ranks. As President, he guided the Balloon Fiesta through the pandemic years of 2020-21.

One of the dignitaries at the very first Balloon Fiesta in 1972 was New Mexico Governor Bruce King, who went on to serve three non-consecutive full terms as Governor. As the state’s longest-serving chief executive, he was a staunch supporter of New Mexico’s largest international event.

George Hahn Balloonmeister 1986-87; President 1991; Hall of Fame 2002

Gary King Balloonmeister 2003-05

George Hahn raced powerboats before taking up a slower sport, flying hot air and gas balloons, training and certifying pilots, promoting ballooning safety, operating a sales and repair station, and serving the Balloon Fiesta as Balloonmeister, Board member, and Board President.

Gary King (no relation to Bruce) was the first Balloonmeister -- the official in charge of flight operations -- from outside Albuquerque. Gary, who brought extensive experience flying in and running ballooning events around the country, served three years as Balloonmeister.

Bruce Hale President 1995-96; Hall of Fame 1997

Al Kinney Hall of Fame 1994

A local businessman and contractor, Bruce Hale literally helped build the Balloon Fiesta’s infrastructure, donating time, money, and services. He flew both hot air and gas balloons at the Balloon Fiesta, and spent two years as the event’s President.

As a volunteer at the first World Hot Air Balloon Championships (2nd Balloon Fiesta) Al Kinney installed utilities and organized concessions and infrastructure.

He was instrumental in obtaining funding for the event and coordinating the city bond issue to buy the current Balloon Fiesta Park.

Sam Hancock Executive Director 1996

Charlotte Kinney Balloonmeister 1982, 1984 Heritage Award 2018

During the crucial year of 1996, when the Balloon Fiesta moved to its current and permanent home at Balloon Fiesta Park, Sam Hancock served as the event’s Executive Director.

The daughter of Mayor Harry Kinney, Charlotte Kinney was one of Albuquerque’s early balloon pilots. She broke barriers as the Balloon Fiesta’s first female Balloonmeister and one of the first women in the country in command of a major balloon event. She now is one of the Balloon Fiesta’s historians.

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Harry Kinney Hall of Fame 1984

Frank Mezzancello President 1994; Hall of Fame 2004

The Balloon Fiesta might have died an early death, had it not been for the vision and efforts of Mayor Harry Kinney. Mayor Kinney formed a citizen’s committee to take over the Balloon Fiesta’s operations and helped arrange for city services to support the event.

During more than 30 years flying in Balloon Fiesta and working mostly behind the scenes, Frank Mezzancello served on every committee and been a valuable mediator who championed the cause of pilots, smoothed upset neighbors, and handled issues on the field. Sadly, Frank passed away this year (see page 272).

Steve Komadina President 1999

Sheri Moore President 1978-79; Hall of Fame 1987

A pilot for more than 40 years and member of the Board of Directors since the late 1980’s, Dr. Steve Komadina is perhaps better known to Balloon Fiesta guests as the pilot of the Stork balloon, which was originally named Great Eggspectations.

Sheri Bachtell Moore is among the first of many strong women who played key roles in the early success of the Balloon Fiesta. Sheri was a member of the first Citizen’s Committee and AIBF’s first female President, helping to set the course the newly-formed corporation would take for years to come.

Randy Lefevre Hall of Fame 2019

Sam Parks Balloonmeister 2013-18 Director of Operations 2018-Present

Weather observations and forecasting have always been vitally important to the safety of the Balloon Fiesta, and Randy Lefevre has been an event meteorologist for 20 years.

As one of the world’s experts in forecasting weather and long-distance trajectories for balloon operations, he also serves as the America’s Challenge’s meteorologist.

Doug March Balloonmeister 1977-78

Betty Perkins President 1975-76; Hall of Fame 2016

He was the Balloon Fiesta balloonmeister in the year the “pole grab” brought new excitement to competition, but Doug March is perhaps better remembered for founding a company that designed and sold most of early Albuquerque balloonists’ balloon pins -- pins that are today highly valued by collectors.

In 1975, Betty Perkins chaired the very first Citizen’s Committee that facilitated the incorporation of the Balloon Fiesta. She then became AIBF’s first Chairperson, urging the City of Albuquerque to assist with infrastructure for the fledgling event, thus laying the groundwork for today’s Balloon Fiesta.

Rod May Balloonmeister 1994-95 President 2004-05; Hall of Fame 2012

Paul Petrehn Event Director 2015-17

Longtime Board of Directors member and past President Rod May served as balloonmeister in the years the Balloon Fiesta hosted the World Gas Balloon Championships and founded the America’s Challenge gas balloon distance race, giving Albuquerque a permanent presence in gas ballooning.

Tom McConnell President 1992; Hall of Fame 1995 Heritage Award 2008 Fondly called “Father Time,” Dr. Tom McConnell was at the first Balloon Fiesta in 1972, and in 1973 (with Don Barz) co-created the iconic Zia balloon. A former AIBF President and board member for more than four decades, Tom founded the Heritage Committee and has written or co-written a plethora of books and articles on the event’s history. He is also a noted author and lecturer on balloon safety.

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The Balloon Fiesta’s longest-serving balloonmeister, Sam Parks is now part of the event staff. As Director of Operations, Sam oversees the year-round effort required to coordinate safe flying events and smooth behind-the-scenes operations.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

As one of the top competitive pilots in the United States, Paul Petrehn brought a lifetime of involvement in balloon events around the world to the Balloon Fiesta when he became its third Event Director in 2015.

Paul is a three-time US national champion.

Chuck Raskob Balloonmeister 2009-10 Chuck Raskob climbs and repairs radio and TV towers (on Sandia Crest! In the winter!) for a living, so he knows the importance of safety. A pilot as well as balloonmeister, he still is a safety officer for both the hot-air Balloon Fiesta events and the America’s Challenge.

Allen Rector Balloonmeister 1998 Balloonmeisters typically have years of experience before they become the Balloon Fiesta’s chief flying events officer, and Allen Rector’s path is typical – he flew in the Balloon Fiesta as a pilot and served as a safety officer and assistant balloonmeister before assuming the top job.

Dick Rice President 1983; Heritage Award 2016 Hall of Fame 2015 In 1975, with the Balloon Fiesta’s existence teetering in the balance, Richard (Dick) Rice was brought onto the first Citizen’s Committee to manage the event’s finances. He’s still doing it, having served as treasurer from 1978-85 and from 2002 to the present. When Dick’s not busy writing checks, he is still an active balloon pilot.

Linda Rutherford Executive Director 1979-89 Hall of Fame 2001 One of the first female corporate balloon pilots, Linda Rutherford was well-known even before becoming the Balloon Fiesta’s first paid staff member and Executive Director.

She laid the groundwork for the year-round staff and volunteer operation that makes the Balloon Fiesta happen.

Tom Rutherford Hall of Fame 1983; Heritage Award 2010 As a young KOB radio employee, Tom Rutherford was instrumental in organizing KOB’s 50th anniversary celebration, resulting in the first Balloon Fiesta. Tom became a corporate balloonist and state legislator, and for 40 years as an event announcer was the golden voice of the Balloon Fiesta.

Mike Rice President 2014-15

Jim Schumacher President 1993

When Mike Rice joined the Balloon Fiesta board in 2002, he was an experienced aviation administrator as well as a balloonist.

As is the case with most AIBF presidents, he served as secretary and vice-president before assuming the presidency.

Albuquerque restauranteur Jim Schumacher brought his business acumen to the Board of Directors, and to his roles as Vice President and President, working with local organizations to resolve issues and promote the Balloon Fiesta.

Henry Rosenbaum Balloonmeister 2019-2022

Harry Season Balloonmeister 1992-93: Hall of Fame 2009 President 2000-01

Henry Rosenbaum, the Balloon Fiesta’s 25th and current balloonmeister, is beginning his fourth year in the job (counting 2020, when the Balloon Fiesta was postponed).

Like most balloonmeisters, he worked his way up the ladder as a safety officer and as assistant balloonmeister.

Bob Ruppenthal Balloonmeister 1976; President 1989-90 Hall of Fame 1991; Heritage Award 2007 In 1973, a group of grubby British balloonists participating in the World Championships were taken in by the Ruppenthal family, and that was just the beginning of Bob Ruppenthal’s storied involvement in the Balloon Fiesta. Bob was also a huge contributor to ballooning safety through his research, lectures and articles.

Marge Ruppenthal President 1980-81; Hall of Fame 1988 Executive Director 1989-95 Heritage Award 2007 Marge Ruppenthal, like her husband Bob, became an accomplished pilot before serving in just about every leadership role in Balloon Fiesta. She was Executive Director for six of the Balloon Fiesta’s greatest growth years, which included the addition of the Balloon Glow and Special Shape Rodeo.

Harry Season was Balloon Fiesta president during two of its most historic years: the “1,000 in 2000” largest Balloon Fiesta ever, and 2001, when the event lifted spirits and helped to heal a shattered world in the wake of 9-11. Harry still serves on the Balloon Fiesta board.

John Sena President 2010-11; Hall of Fame 2013 A colorful storyteller and longtime balloonist, John Sena (so far) has served more than two decades on the board. A banker by trade, John was the event’s treasurer and financial advisor for many years. John is also the founder of another of New Mexico’s iconic ballooning events, the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally.

Jim Shiver President 1986-88; Hall of Fame 1993 Heritage Award 2011 Guests enjoy today’s Balloon Fiesta Park in large part thanks to the efforts of Jim Shiver.

He played a major role in securing the property, and through his construction company contributed thousands of dollars and man-hours to building this and previous launch sites. Jim is the Balloon Fiesta's only three-time President.

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Gail Short President 1984

Kim Vesely Heritage Award 2009; Hall of Fame 2012

Matriarch of a ballooning family – she, her husband, and son all were pilots – Gail Short spent countless hours behind the scenes doing all the little things that make any great event happen before becoming vice president and then president of AIBF.

A former TV journalist and a writer and amateur historian, Kim Vesely has documented ballooning and the Balloon Fiesta for nearly a half-century through articles, video, and photographs, as co-author of three books, and editor of the official program. She is also a balloon pilot and serves as an official, volunteer, and commentator.

Paul Smith Executive Director 1997-Present Heritage Award 2022

Bill Walker President 2012-13

For half the Balloon Fiesta’s history, Paul Smith has been in charge. An attorney by training, he served the Balloon Fiesta in that capacity before becoming Executive Director in 1997. When not working (which is almost never), he’s a highly-regarded and successful competitive balloonist.

Mark Sullivan President 1997-98; Hall of Fame 1999

Mark Wilson Balloonmeister 1979

Mark Sullivan is a championship-caliber pilot in both hot air and gas balloons and the current president of the World Air Sports Federation (FAI) Ballooning Commission. A member of the AIBF board since 1989, he is a co-founder of the Special Shape Rodeo and founder of the America’s Challenge gas race.

Mark Wilson was the first to standardize the information Balloon Fiesta pilots receive by presenting their pre-event briefing through a video. Mark was one of Albuquerque’s earliest pilots and instructors and taught many first-generation New Mexico balloonists.

Art Swenka President 2002-03

Steve Yazzie Balloonmeister 1999-2000 Hall of Fame 2006

Businessman, balloonist, and philanthropist, Art Swenka devoted time, energy, and money to supporting ballooning events and activities around the state for more than two decades before joining the AIBF board and serving as President.

Al Tetreault Hall of Fame 2007 President 2021-Present Today’s Balloon Fiesta public safety operation owes a huge debt to current AIBF President Al Tetreault. As a law enforcement officer and a member of the Balloon Fiesta board, Al brought together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to keep guests safe.

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As an ex-FBI agent, Bill Walker has been an invaluable advisor on event traffic and security and an all-around whatever-you need Balloon Fiesta liaison. A balloonist since 1993, board member since 1999, and board President a decade ago, Bill still serves on the Board.

Jovial, always professional, and breaking ground for diversity, Steve Yazzie served as a safety officer and – at the 2000 Balloon Fiesta, the largest ever – the first Native American Balloonmeister. A fine pilot himself, he was highly respected among his colleagues and fellow balloonists.

Ed Yost Balloonmeister 1973 1973 balloonmeister Ed Yost is the generally acknowledged inventor of the modern hot air balloon, flew most of the way across the Atlantic solo, and built (among others) Double Eagle II and Double Eagle V, the balloons that completed the first successful manned crossings of the Atlantic and the Pacific.

Ken Tuley (Art Lloyd, Jr.) Hall of Fame 2021

Ty Young President 2018-19

Ken Tuley brought Balloon Fiesta into the digital age, remaking the website, developing apps and operational software, and founding and (as his alter ego, Art Lloyd Jr.) hosting Balloon Fiesta Live!, which streams live coverage of all Balloon Fiesta flying events. He’s also a longtime volunteer official and pilot.

As a wide-eyed little boy visiting Balloon Fiesta, Ty Young traded pins with Sid Cutter and so began a lifelong love affair with both balloons and pins. Now a successful businessman, expert on Balloon Fiesta collectibles, and former AIBF President, Ty’s journey sets an example for how 50 years of Balloon Fiestas have changed and affected lives.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

The 2022 Heritage Award

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he Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® (AIBF) Heritage Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and long-time contributions to Balloon Fiesta through the preservation of AIBF corporate or event history, promotion, communication, or educational activities, or through other innovations that have been shown to help achieve AIBF’s mission statement.

This year, the Balloon Fiesta is honored to recognize Paul Smith, the event’s Executive Director for the last quarter-century. Paul, a lawyer by professional background, assumed leadership of the event the year after Balloon Fiesta moved to the current Balloon Fiesta Park. Many improvements to the park enjoyed by balloonists and guests today happened under his watch, including a fully grassed launch field, VIP guest experiences including the Gondola Club, Chaser’s Club, Glamping, and Concierge services, Bike Valet, expanded RV parking, new activities and shows such as Music Fiesta, the Chainsaw Carving exhibitions, the fireworks “candle line,” and more. Pilots benefit from the addition of weather stations around the area to monitor changing conditions and more advanced briefing and forecasting tools.

Paul leads a permanent staff of about 20 full- and part-time people, supported by hundreds of Navigators (Balloon Fiesta volunteers), and works with city and county officials, law enforcement agencies, and the FAA to facilitate a safe event both on the ground and in the sky. For nine days every year, and through the two months of setup and teardown, he is the de facto manager of the state’s second-largest city, dealing with everything from tickets to transportation to sanitation.

A few years ago, when the popular TV series hit the air, someone with a sense of humor developed “Better Call Paul” pins recognizing the many hats Paul wears. They sold like hotcakes.

Paul is also a formidable pilot and competitor in his own right, with a string of victories and high finishes in local, state, and national competition. This past fall, Paul received the Ed Yost Master Pilot Award, reflecting 40 years of safe flying.

Above: Paul Smith

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Balloon Fiesta®

By the Numbers 672 PILOTS (584 primary and 88 additional)

(2019)

102 SPECIAL SHAPES 81 INTERNATIONAL PILOTS 170 NM PILOTS 900 LBS OF COFFEE 400 LBS HOT COCOA 255 GOLF CARTS 270

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

83,295 GALLONS OF PROPANE PUMPED 375 PORTA POTTIES 78 ACRES OF GRASS ON THE FIELD 200 PARK & RIDE BUSES 286 PICNIC TABLES 38 FOOD VENDORS 41 MERCHANDISE CONCESSIONS OFFICIAL PROGRAM

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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

Remembering Frank Mezzancello, Jr.

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of Jim “Badtoe” Benson. He his spring, the joined the Balloon Fiesta Board Albuquerque in 1990, and straight out of International Balloon the gate became the head of Fiesta lost one of its the Field Committee where great friends and true he had served as a volunteer. characters, longtime Being the life of the party, Board member and balloonist Frank entertainment was always Mezzancello, Jr. part of Frank’s agenda, and he While Balloon Fiesta was became head of entertainment, taking root in the sunny climes of helping to bring in bands such Albuquerque, Frank was living in as Paul Revere and the Raiders, his hometown of Cranston, RI and Three Dog Night, and Daruis running an HVAC business. But Rucker along with many more. after a very bad snowstorm in In 1994, Frank was elected 1978, Frank had had enough of cold President, and – among weather and headed west, first to many other things – focused New Orleans (he loved the parties, on the “pilot tent” (now Pilot but not the “mosquitoes the size Hospitality in the Sid Cutter of pickup trucks”) and finally to Pavilion) where you could get Albuquerque, taking his family and something such as a cup of his air conditioning business with coffee to start your day, and him. the big fireworks displays In Albuquerque, Frank soon Above: Frank Mezzancello, Jr. after Balloon Glows we all look discovered what he called “bocce forward to today. Frank was balls in the sky,” better known as hot voted into the AIBF Hall of air balloons. Before long, he asked Fame in 2004 and served on the Balloon Fiesta Board for his beloved wife Pat if she wanted a vacation or a hot 32 years. He also served as Vice President and special air balloon? Well, Frank did not listen to his wife, and his events liaison for the AAAA (the local Albuquerque love for wingless flight began. Soon after he purchased balloon club) and flew in events from Colorado to his first balloon, Fantasia, honoring his love of Mickey Santiago Nuevo Leon, Mexico. With his passion for Mouse and all things that came with him. In the balloon ballooning but a family man to the core, he built a legacy community, he felt at home with his family and lifelong for his family and his community to enjoy. friends made along the way. Ironically, a man whose People could always count on Frank; many called him mission it was to keep things as chilly as possible learned “The Fixer.” If you had a problem, Frank had a solution. to use heat to give him wings. (By the way, Pat became a And if he could not fix the problem himself, he would find balloon pilot too!) someone who could. He was always good for a laugh, but Frank began his journey with the Albuquerque an even better friend and a Balloon Fiesta hero to many.

International Balloon Fiesta® in 1987, on the field crew

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Official

POSTERS Limited Edition and Collectable

Daniel Killen’s fifth and final poster in the series leading up to the 50th event has been released! This poster, titled “Rising to 50 years” tells the ending to the story that began in 2018 with Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. After a four-poster chase, the duo is ready to enjoy Balloon Fiesta in a balloon ride of their own. But, if you look closely, things may not work out as planned for Wile E. Coyote. This poster features a number of loveable Looney Tunes characters and is now available, along with the first four, at Balloon Fiesta’s Gift Shop, during the event on the field, or online at balloonfiestastuff.com.

Get yours today!

FULL SETS AVAILABLE • SIGNED OR UNSIGNED • 2022 AVAILABLE IN METAL PRINTS

www.balloonfiestastuff.com