ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Saturday morning, the first day of Balloon Fiesta kicked off, bringing balloon enthusiasts together from around the world. Although no balloons took off into the air, it didn’t seem to wreck anyone’s spirits.
Everyone showed up to Balloon Fiesta Park for day one, excited and caffeinated, ready for some balloons to fill the Albuquerque sky. Multiple people News 13 spoke with had the event on their bucket list and were experiencing it for the first time.
“Our first time coming here, this was on our bucket list,” Darlene Paradis said. “We are newlyweds, just got married a month ago. This is our honeymoon. We’re from Maryland.”
“For me, it was something on my bucket list,” Jeff Will said, who is visiting from Indiana. “Always wanted to see it, always heard about it, it was something I really wanted to see.”
One person was even visiting from Spain, saying this is very different from the balloon festival event in his home country. “It’s really big,” Andreu Berfectolobeznsarbent said. “In Spain, we do smaller things. This is really amazing.”
Carolin Montgomery, on the other hand, has never missed a year since it started in 1972.
“I went when they had it, the first one at Coronado shopping center years ago,” Montgomery said. “I was really little, and it’s something we’ve done for years. It makes you feel like a kid.”
As the sun rose, opening ceremonies played, and balloons inflated for static displays. Some got concerned when the flag never turned green, but their spirits never wavered.
Once word got out that balloons would not be lifting off on day one, many started funneling out. Others stayed, got a drink, and continued to walk around the vendor booths. With such an early wake-up time, many decided to make the best of the day.
“It’s been great,” John Ronchetto said, visiting from Arizona. “We woke up super early this morning, and I’m really tired.”
