By: Marcia Abramson
I have since learned from my research that Albuquerque is known to balloonists as the ballooning capital of the
world, and draws over 750 balloons. This number represents about 20% of the total number of balloons in the whole world. A far cry from Jules Verne's famous book Around the World in Eighty Days. Last year the spectators numbered 900,000. I understand that there were fewer than 10,000 attendees at the first ballooning event in 1972. Then it was held in a mall parking lot with 13 balloons participating. There were balloons from 25 countries, including Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and many others.
Albuquerque has the ideal weather for balloonists with the famous Albuquerque Box effect which allows pilots to rise from the field, move with the winds at different altitudes and even backtrack along their original route and land close to their launch site. The pilots claim that the Box, created by a combination of upper and lower winds made by the Rio Grande Valley and by the Sandia Mountains, gives them cool air near the surface which will take them in one direction while higher winds blow in the opposite direction. It is thrilling to see the pilots lower their gondola in the Rio Grande for a Splash and Dip.
Don Monaghan of the New Mexico Department of Tourism taught me the difference between the hot air and gas balloon. Gas balloons use helium or hydrogen as lifting agents instead of heating the envelopes for the hot air balloon. Flying a gas balloon requires a great deal of planning. They are used primarily in distance races since the gases can last for two or three days and fly at higher altitudes. In Europe the gas of choice is hydrogen and helium is used mainly in the United States. Dan also told me that gas balloons get their initial lift from the helium/hydrogen pumped into their envelopes (made from either polyester or nylon fabric coated with polyurethane to prevent leakage) and that pilots can control their altitude by venting through the top of their envelope or by waiting for the cooler evening temperatures to contract the gas in the envelope.
Hot air balloons fly as a result of a hotter air temperature inside the envelope than outside since hot air rises. These balloons usually launch in the morning when it is cooler with lighter winds. Sufficient hot air in the envelope will lift it with the gondola and its passengers (maximum four) into the sky. Control of the balloon for ascent and descent is by propane burners. Hot air balloonists do not rise more than 1,000 feet, whereas gas balloons rise several feet above the ground. Pilots have successfully navigated their gas balloons as far as Maine and Canada from Albuquerque.
There is nothing more spectacular than the opening ceremonies when hundreds of balloons fill the skies with the Mass Ascensions to be followed by evening Balloon Glows. The launch field is filled with balloons of every size, shape and color. When the propane burners are lit against the dark sky, the balloons appear to be huge light bulbs. One of the most popular programs is the Special Shapes Spectacular Balloon Rodeo. Who wouldn't be awe-stricken by dragons, motorcycles, moving vans, Mother Hubbard's shoe and a cow jumping over the moon casually floating overhead?
There will also be many competitions to keep you looking skyward in unbelievable wonderment. I always enjoy the cowboy programs when I visit Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. The last days of the Balloon Fiesta focuses on the 13th Annual Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium. From Oct. 11 - 13 southern Ruidoso, New Mexico is a must for most tourists. All things Cowboy and the western way of life are celebrated. It is touted as one of the largest cowboy cultural gatherings of its kind. The cowboy talent is wonderful, even if some of the tales are indeed tall and unbelievable, but well told. You will see some graceful dancers clad in their denim skirts, jeans and Stetsons and hear some lovely music and songs. Poems will be recited. Horses will be trained at special seminars and lariats will be snapped.
This could be one of the most fascinating ways to discover New Mexico and salute the Cowgirl who will be honored at the Symposium.
More information is available by visiting www.newmexico.org
