- The 46th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began this Saturday and is expected to draw close to a million visitors to central New Mexico
- It features about 500 traditional hot air balloons and 94 balloons that are shaped to make them look like bees, Elvis Presley, Smokey the Bear and others
- This year’s balloon festival theme is ‘Inflate your Imagination.’ The fiesta’s morning mass ascensions launch this weekend, Wednesday and the weekend of October 14-15
- Because of the shooting in Las Vegas that saw 59 people get killed, including the gunman, the festival was forced to up its security measures
- All bags and person will be checked at all the entrances and only law enforcement are allowed to carry weapons into the venue space
The 46th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began this Saturday and is expected to draw close to a million visitors to central New Mexico.
The 2017 festival features about 500 traditional hot air balloons and 94 balloons that are shaped to make them look like bees, Elvis Presley, Smokey the Bear and others.
This year’s balloon festival theme is ‘Inflate your Imagination.’ The fiesta’s morning mass ascensions launch this weekend, Wednesday and the weekend of October 14-15.
Seventeen of specially shaped balloons will make their first-ever flights, officials said.
Among the entries this year are the ‘Armadillo’ from Brazil, ‘Pepe the Hedgehog’ from the Czech Republic and ‘Busby the Queen’s Guard’ from the United Kingdom.
Because of the shooting in Las Vegas that saw 59 people get killed, including the gunman, the festival was forced to up its security measures.
All bags and person will be checked at all the entrances and only law enforcement are allowed to carry weapons into the venue space.
Bicycles, skateboards and displays of gang colors and gang signs also are banned.
Two boys have a blast playing in the field as the last hot air balloon launch at Balloon Fiesta Park during the first morning of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
The 46th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began this Saturday and is expected to draw close to a million visitors to central New Mexico
Because of the shooting in Las Vegas that saw 59 people get killed, including the gunman, the festival was forced to up its security measures. All bags and person will be checked at all the entrances and only law enforcement are allowed to carry weapons into the venue space
A family poses in front of a wacky elephant balloon at the festival. It features about 500 traditional hot air balloons and 94 balloons that are shaped to make them look like bees, Elvis Presley, Smokey the Bear and others
– Superbike, a special shape hot air balloon, inflates about the crowds on the field at Balloon Fiesta Park. This year’s balloon festival theme is ‘Inflate your Imagination.’ The fiesta’s morning mass ascensions launch this weekend, Wednesday and the weekend of October 14-15
A mariachi balloon floats among the other balloons in the festival
Twins enjoy the festival as the balloons get ready to launch into the air