The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta started with 13 balloons in 1972. By 1978, it was the largest ballooning event in the world with 273 entries, and now attendance has grown to hundreds of balloons and thousands of pilots participating.
The festival takes place in October each year.
To preserve the magic of these spectacular events, it is estimated that more than 25 million still photographs are taken of the Balloon Fiesta, repeatedly earning it the title “the world’s most photographed event.” Gas balloons became part of the Balloon Fiesta in 1981.
Learn more: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Video Credit: 📸: Jesse Sansom, AirscapeABQ
