ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – This year’s annual Burning of Zozobra marked the event’s 100th anniversary. To celebrate, the Kiwanis Club, City of Santa Fe, and City of Albuquerque joined efforts to launch a special shape Zozobra hot air balloon.
The balloon has an envelope width of 66 feet, is over 135 feet tall, and weighs 730 pounds; it’s large size means it is tough to fly but, surprisingly, even more challenging to inflate for a static display, according to Pilot Mark Trillanes.
“When we keep the balloon here on the field, I have to keep control of all the spectators and make sure everybody’s safe and be concerned about the balloon rolling this way, the balloon rolling that way, a rope breaking. All those things are constantly in my head,” said Trillanes.
“Balloons want to fly, so keeping them tethered on the ground with a bunch of ropes isn’t what they naturally want to do. So, it just creates lots of challenges.” The balloonist explained that flying is the smooth part of the journey, and the next obstacle comes when it is time to find a place to land.
Luckily, Trillanes has many years of experience ballooning and filling in as a pilot for various special shape balloons. The first day of the 2024 Balloon Fiesta was too windy for Zozobra to inflate, but the new balloon was able to take its inaugural flight on Sunday, October 6.
The balloon version of Old Man Gloom features the text “BURN HIM!” and makes the groaning noise heard during the annual burning of the marionette. The specialty balloon cost $300,000 to make; it was built in the United Kingdom and made it to New Mexico in time to debut at the 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
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Day 3 of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Oct. 6, 2024. (Photo by KRQE Digital Reporter Scott Brown)
Day 2 of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Oct. 6, 2024. (Photo by KRQE Digital Reporter Fallon Fischer)
Day 2 of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Oct. 6, 2024. (Photo by KRQE Digital Reporter Fallon Fischer)
Day 2 of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Oct. 6, 2024. (Photo by KRQE Digital Reporter Fallon Fischer)
Day 2 of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Oct. 6, 2024. (Photo by KRQE Digital Reporter Fallon Fischer)
