Save The Date

Join us October 7-15, 2023, for the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta powered by ExxonMobil in Albuquerque, New Mexico. More information will become available at www.balloonfiesta.com in the coming weeks. Plan ahead - The 52nd Balloon Fiesta is scheduled to take place October 5-13, 2024.

Balloon Fiesta Insider

Balloon Fiesta has been named as one of USA Today’s top cultural festivals for 2023, coming in at number five. We are grateful for the recognition by our guests and USA Today readers and thank all of you, who voted for us! The full list can be viewed, here: https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-cultural-festival-2023/    

Merchandise Update

The weather is heating up, which means it’s time to shed your jacket and bring out the short sleeves! And, just in time for Memorial Day, we’ve released a patriotic, short sleeve T-shirt. The navy shirts feature a flag backdrop with a number of silver balloons floating on top. There are a limited number of these available. So, be sure to grab yours before they are gone! Shop them today, along with other Balloon Fiesta magnets, keychains and more on balloonfiestastuff.com or at Balloon Fiesta’s Gift Shop, located at 4401 Alameda Blvd, Albuquerque, NM.

Faces of Fiesta

Curt Dahlquist

Title: Warehouse Manager

Years with Balloon Fiesta: 2.5

As warehouse manager, Curt oversees the organization of Balloon Fiesta’s warehouses, receives packages and merchandise for the event and helps other team members keep track of items necessary for the day-to-day functions of the event. Curt’s history with ballooning began in 1989 when he helped crew for a balloon and continued doing so for many years. In 2022 Curt and his wife were honored as the southwest region crew persons of the year for the Balloon Federation of America.

Rapid Fire with Curt:

Time your day starts during Balloon Fiesta: 3 a.m.

Favorite spot on the field to watch the balloons: Right in the middle of the action on the launch field

Current favorite special shape balloon: Sunny Boy

Inside the Basket

Rodney May is on Balloon Fiesta's Board of Directors, as well as a remote control balloon operator.

In this month’s Inside the Basket, he gives a look at how he became introduced to the sport, what remote control balloons are and how guests can see them at the 51^st Balloon Fiesta. 

May in Ballooning

On May 25, 2011 Whilhelm Eimers broke the duration world record for AA-02 type balloons. He launched from Gladbeck, Germany in a 250-400m3 gas balloon and flew a total of 23 hours, 18 minutes and 30 seconds before landing in Steinfurt Germany. This record still stands today. Read more about this feat, here: https://www.fai.org/news/ten-years-gas-balloonist-willi-eimers-record-breaking-flight-germany   

May Photo-of-the-Month

We have received some beautiful pictures of past years’ events, submitted through Balloon Fiesta’s social media! Below is the photo chosen for May. Thank you to Facebook user Tricia Richmond Sawaya!

Do you have a Balloon Fiesta photo that you’re proud of? Share your favorite Balloon Fiesta image on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag our page for a chance to be featured in next month’s newsletter!

Read all about it

Check out the latest media coverage about Balloon Fiesta

• The Discoveries of has created an Albuquerque Camping Guide: Best Campgrounds + Practical Tips and included their top options for Balloon Fiesta

Sponsor Spotlight

Isleta Resort and Casino is a place to relax and have a great time. The property features slot machines, gaming options, concerts and live performances, an award-winning spa and resort, an exquisite steakhouse and more. Their team is an official level sponsor of Balloon Fiesta and has been for over 15 years. Their current role as the pylons sponsor, provides them the opportunity, during the event, to showcase their brand on a balloon banner and access to two tents in Corporate Village where they host valued guests and employees. Their sponsorship helps their team create lifelong memories with people that they value and care about, which is very important to them. We thank them for their continued support!



For a complete list of Balloon Fiesta sponsors, click here.