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The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a truly wondrous sight to behold and something everyone should experience if given the chance. The balloon fiesta is an all volunteer event and takes all year and thousands of helping hands to put on. This can be a great adventure for kids of all ages. This can also be a great opportunity to meet and make friends from all over the world. People come from far away lands and many cultures and the mix is amazing. This is also the perfect time to learn about the history and hear great stories of ballooning straight from the pilots who fly them. There are pilot's of all ages and are both male and female. Most of the pilots are willing to answer any questions you may have, so go ahead and ask.

When you have finally made the final decision to go to the Balloon fiesta then the first thing to remember is that every hotel and motel in the city of Albuquerque will fill up. Many of the people that attend, come every year and make hotel and car reservations well in advance of their trip. There are many people who choose to bring R.V. s or stream liners and set up camp very near the balloon field. This can be very convenient but the spaces fill up faster ever year. The Albuquerque balloon fiesta starts on the first full weekend through the second full weekend of October. Sometimes it starts on the first weekend and some years its the second weekend. It is nine days of pure fun and silliness and a great way for adult to find their inner child again.

The weather in October in Albuquerque can be quite unpredictable. The mornings are usually quite cold so bundle up but dress in layers. The day can start out very cold and be in the seventies or eighties by noon. Start out early and listen for the traffic reports. The hotel you are staying in will more than likely have maps to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Park so you should have no trouble finding it. The balloons usually go up right around sunrise though there will be a dawn patrol of two to four balloons that will go up before sunrise to test the wind direction and weather. When you arrive at the balloon park you will see all kinds of fun activities to keep you occupied while waiting for the mass ascension. There is a mile of food and craft booths. You never know when you might see a clown walking by or see an U.S. Army Golden Knight parachute from above. There are contest's, face painting, toys, bands, bars, dancing and all around merriment. There are both day and night events and can change with the weather. The paper will keep you up to date on all the happenings of this fabulous nine day event. So go and enjoy you might just get hooked on ballooning.

Learn more about this author, Sheri Lorenz.
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