We are planning to attend on the 3, 4 ,5 October.
A few questions for you Veterans
1. What kind of chairs did you take?
2. We are going to park and ride (camping in Santa Fe)
did you buy tickets in advance?
3. Which events did you like? Dawn Patrol, Opening Ceremonies
Mass Ascension, American Challenge Gas Inflation Race,
Twilight Twinkle Glow, American Challenge Gas Inflation
Launch, After Glow, Balloon Glow.
4. What is the best park and ride location from I-25 Santa Fe?
5. Any other information will be appreciated.
We stayed on the Fiesta Grounds. A bus picked us up and carried us to the events. IMO, you gota see a Mass ascension and a night glow. For us chairs were out of the question. We were constantly moving around from balloon to balloon. Our 2007 ABQ Balloon pics.
Spin, we were there in 2007 also, all that you mentioned, do it and do watch the prize dip or what ever it is called. That year prizes were put up on top of 50 ft. poles and the baloons would come in and pick off the envolope and see what the prize was. The big prize that year was a new chevy blazer. You would see about 6 to 7 hundred balloons come into on area to get the prizes. Go see the mass ascension in the morning and the glow at night. On some of the evening programs, get there early because of traffic and parking and the same of leaving in the evening. Also you should enjoy the chainsaw carving and contest at some evening. Winds do play a good bit in the programs, so if there is high winds, plan for other things. I hope to attend again someday.
We did not use any chairs, there was a lot of picnic tables all over the area. The rides are a blast but kind of expensive, i think about $300 . sky
Skylark wrote: The rides are a blast but kind of expensive, i think about $300 . sky
Actually if you sign up to volunteer to be on a chase crew the rides are free, as is parking, admission, and breakfast....! During nine days last year I was probably up for 1 1/2 hours.... Been on a chase crew for the past 6 years.
There is a complete schedule and everything you ever wanted to know about balloon Fest at:
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/
Spin...attending 3,4,5...If you want to see the early balloons(mass ascension) and you're coming from Santa Fe grab some coffee and hit the road about 2 AM.... The traffic on the weekends is a California freeway nightmare unless you're ahead of it. Anything in the area of the park around 5:30 AM on is unimaginable.
Chairs...? Very nice grass...take a blanket, or, wander around looking at the balloons....you can get right up to them you know. Quite a few picnic tables around.
Tickets...double check the website...think pre-purchase is a little cheaper.
Dawn patrol is VERY early (around 5:30-6:00)and are the only balloons authorized to lift off in darkness. Mass ascension is shortly after sunrise.
Gas balloons...outside of the liftoff you won't see them again...!
Balloon Glow will be Sat and Sun of your dates followed by fireworks. Balloons are static and do NOT fly at that time. The various Rodeos for the balloons are on the website schedule.
Double check the web site for this...but...I believe you may need a ticket for everytime you enter the park: If you leave after mass ascension and come back for the glow. Mass ascension is in the 6:30-7:30 AM range and glow is probably around 8PM. Never checked my watch for exact times but those are close.
37' Mirage Triple slider, '03 GMC 1 T Ext.Cab Dually, Duramax/Allison GO SOONERS!!
Thanks for your reply and all the pictures you provided. With your comments we will forego the chairs and opt for a blanket. We have not yet decided whether to split the events into two days. We do understand by your comments that there will be an additional charge for entering on the second day. We will change our morning departure time after reading your comments to an earlier time. Thanks again and any other suggestions are appreciated.
From the web site:
"For only $25.00 you receive five individual tickets to the Balloon Fiesta. Each adult requires a ticket for each session that they attend. Example if you were to attend Saturday morning and Saturday evening you would need two tickets."
Basically....once you leave the park you need another ticket to get back in whether it's the same day or another day.
Book of 5 tickets is $25. Not sure what the general admission is per day because I've never had to pay it.
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Been on a chase crew for the past 6 years.
The traffic on the weekends is a California freeway nightmare unless you're ahead of it. Anything in the area of the park around 5:30 AM on is unimaginable.
