On April 8, 1972, Tom Rutherford helped launch the very first version of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Back then it was a hastily-arranged gathering in a vacant lot near the mall, attended by a grand total of 13 balloons. But 10,000 people showed up to see them race and Tom knew he had a good thing on his hands. In the years since, Tom learned how to pilot a balloon—although many of the hot air ballooning safety rules were formulated after he did something particularly stupid. For nearly 40 years he has been the official announcer of the Fiesta and one of its most ardent supporters.