With the last rays of sun shining on the Sandia Mountains, everyone anticipates the evening balloon glow.
As we arrive on the field, hundreds of balloons are being inflated.
This picture shows several of the specialty balloons in a row.
"Arky" from Grants Pass, Oregon, is a favorite.
"Patriot" is from Glendale, CA, and is the first time we see it.
"Sarah the Witch", (center, from Palm Desert, CA) is flanked by "Matrioshka" on the left from Dakota Dunes, SD, and a commercial unlisted balloon on the right we hadn't seen earlier.
"Cent'r Stage" is from Albuquerque and is an awesome balloon. The size of these balloons can be enormous, and this is certainly one of the largest.
"Pumpkinhead" is from Scottsdale, AZ.
"The Rooster" is from Enschede, Netherlands and is my personal favorite.
"She's a Lady," from Wheat Ridge, CO on the left, and "Sea Fantasy," from Wausau, WI on the right.
"Polly" from Campo Largo, Brazil is a crowd pleaser.
"Polly" together with "Tom" from Kluizen, Belgium.
"La Ristra" from Socorro, NM.
No listing for this one in the program, but perhaps Sponge Bob?
"Haunted House" from San Paulo, Brazil.
"Joey Little Bee", Albuquerque; "Joelly" from Maricopa, AZ; and "Lilly Little Bee" from Peoria, AZ. Hopefully I got them in the right order.
"Three Monkeys" from San Paulo, Brazil.
Front and rear views of "Jim" from Albuquerque, NM.
"Airganic Garden," Cary, IL.
"Carousel," Orchard Lake, MI.
The crowds this Friday night are unbelievable. Perhaps 100,000 are on the field to watch the tethered balloons light up. It is an awesome sight, but walking back to The Popeye Express was a challenge in the dark. Once the balloons turn off their flames, darkness descends - and fast! The picture above is what we see walking up the ramp towards our parking area. Good luck trying to find your bike in the dark.
The Magnificent Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, worth a visit all by itself - awesome!
Each night, wind or no, the sky lights up with fireworks. Albuquerqueians know how to celebrate!
