Q: we will be coming to the Balloon Festival this year Oct. 1-9, 2011. What hotel is the closest to the park where the festival is held? Are there packages that include admission, transportation & hotel? Please help us plan our trip. Thank you
A:
Hello Rita,

You have a few options. One is to participate in the Tour New Mexico program, where you can enjoy motor coach transportation with a professional tour escort to Balloon Fiesta Park from a number of hotels. Includes admission to Balloon Fiesta and a pleasant, informative ride.
 
Another option is to choose a hotel near the park from a list of hotels in the Balloon Fiesta Park/North I-25 neighborhood. You can then board the ABQ Trolley in Downtown Albuquerque for one of their special festival tours offering round-trip transportation, trivia and giveaways, access to the Balloon Fiesta's exclusive Chaser's Club (a $25 value), general admission to Balloon Fiesta, and more.

Enjoy the festival!
Q: I saw many things and wondered, "Now why are they doing that?" I got answers to most of my questions. I saw several people pulling ropes that were tied to the tops of balloons that were being inflated. Why did they do this?
A:
When a balloon is beginning to inflate and the heat begins to enter the envelope, the heat seeks its highest point. That makes the balloon come up soft, not completely full. To counter this, crew people hold down the balloon by the "top" or "crown" rope. That lets the balloon fill more completely as it more slowly rises, the fuller the better.
 
Come to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta next year and we'll see that you get to help with the crown rope.
Q: My partner and I want to be married and take off in a balloon at sunset - or perhaps just be married at sunset in a balloon in October. We currently live in Washington State and wonder if you can point us in the right direction?
A: You really don't want to take off in a balloon at sunset. You need to be able to see where you are going to land, so daylight is essential.

You could have wedding at the end of the balloon flight, with the minister and guests following along in chase vehicles, or just have a balloon inflated at the site of the sunset wedding. I suggest you contact Rainbow Ryders and they can direct you to a reliable balloon company in the area. Or come get married at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta next October. You'll have 80,000 witnesses.
Q: name the 13 pilots for the first albuquerque balloon race in 1972
A: 13 original pilots were:
Sid Cutter
Don Kersten
Oscar Kratz
Bill Cutter
Denny Floden
Bill Murtoff
Don Piccard
Wilma Piccard
Matt Wiederkehr
Gene Dennis
Brent Stockwell
Karl Stefan
Carter Twedt
Q: Any helpful photography tips/hints? We'll be attending one early morning assension on the 6th then to the balloon glow(sitting in the gondola club for that with our group).Do they allow you to bring in a tripod? Much thanks!
A: Here's a link for photo tips.
I think you'll be able to bring a pod with you, don't know how big
they'll allow. There's lots of people around all the places you'll be,
so safety is a major consideration. You'll probably only need it for the Glow.
You'll be amazed!!
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