2020 Balloon Fiesta UPDATE April 10, 2020, 01:00:00 pm Hello everyone, and by everyone I mean those of you who have reserved a spot for the Balloon Fiesta for October 2020. I received an email from the organizers and I suspect all of you who have reservations also received the same message... they are planning to have the fiesta in October. Since we don't know how long the current "zombie apocolypse" will be in effect I wanted to remind everyone of the cancellation policy posted on the Balloon Fiesta site... and to suggest we post these dates in our calendars, so each of us can decide what we, as individuals, are going to do. If THEY cancel the fiesta I suspect we would be refunded all of our reservation fees. This cancellation policy applies if YOU cancel. Cancellation PolicyUntil July 14th, refunds will be processed with a $10.00 fee for the President's Compound, Standard, Premium, VIP sites and Tent Camping. July 15th through August 31st a 50% refund will be given. Starting September 1st, no refunds will be given. We do not rollover paid reservations to the following year. We do not allow any changes or transfers of reservations after August 31st. Lisa and I discussed camping places near the Fiesta site and where we might gather before we caravan into the site when we were in Morro Bay in March. By the time we both got home and the virus kerfuffle changed our lives and moved to the top of the list of things to deal with. I will give the office a call next week for their advise on a staging area based on what happened last year. So we can tentatively move forward but keeping in mind the uncertainty.Stay safe and healthy everyone and keep washing your hands... Liz and Lisa 2 Likes
Re: 2020 Balloon Fiesta UPDATE Reply #1 – April 10, 2020, 06:49:57 pm So the Fiesta isn't cancelled yet. I got an email with this LINK to a letter from the president and executive officer
Re: 2020 Balloon Fiesta UPDATE Reply #2 – April 11, 2020, 02:03:38 pm I attended the Ballon Fiesta in 2019, and quite honestly it was a HUGE disappointment on all levels.Utilizing the Park and Ride, I arrived 45 minutes ahead of time to my assigned Parking Lot, only to stand in line for 90 minutes until I climbed aboard the bus.I was on the Early Pre-Dawn Bus, and at the Fiesta Site there already were tens of thousands of people, sitting, laying, and in some cases sleeping on the ground. Nearly impossible to avoid stepping on people as I stumbled around in the dark. And it was pitch dark.It had rained heavily the day before, and the grounds were like a bog in areas of heavy vehicle traffic (balloonists driving in).Porta Potty facilities required about a 15 to 20 minute wait.The pre-dawn launches (to test the winds) went off fine, but with tens of thousands of people pushing their way to each balloon launching it was chaotic to say the least.Just when the first wave of the balloon launches were getting ready about 7AM a heavy fog rolled in, delaying further flights. Fog became so thick at ground level you could barely see 20 feet in front of you.After wandering around for a couple of hours, and the balloons still grounded I called it a day.Driving on to my next destination, the Route 66 Casino, west on I-40, I was able to ENJOY a good view from afar, as the fog had finally lifted and the balloons were beginning to launch .If I ever pass thru Albuquerque again during the Fiesta I will simply find a nice viewing spot along the roadway, about 5 or 10 miles from the Fiesta Grounds. Navigating the literally 100,000 spectators on the ground, and L-O-N-G lines and waiting times for everything was simply not worth it.I know from conversations with folks in attendance, there are tens of thousands of Fans that make the migration an annual event, but honestly, the suffocating crowds spoiled it for me.Hoping everyone's experience is far better than mine was.
Re: 2020 Balloon Fiesta UPDATE Reply #3 – April 12, 2020, 10:33:43 am The Balloon Fiesta was a top list event to experience when I retired in 1996, so I paid the exorbitant price of over $100 for a space for three days on the bluff (not front line) overlooking the launch field. 1996 was the 25th anniversary of the 'Kodak Balloon Fiesta'; this is a PDF link to the official program:Official 1996 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Program by Albuquerque...It was definitely crowded at the field, the RV and day parking areas, and everywhere else in and around Albuquerque, but I'm sure that the numbers for this event have greatly increased over the years, and like so many other popular events everywhere, probably to the point of gridlock. I enjoyed all the spectacular events, marveled at the skill and creativity of the balloonists, and learned a good deal about weather patterns and the mechanics of 'ballooning'. There were a few downsides, but I'm very glad I went. The event was a 'one and done' for me, but I know that many people return every year and enjoy the experience to the max. Truly a 'YMMV' choice!
Re: 2020 Balloon Fiesta UPDATE Reply #4 – April 12, 2020, 11:44:17 am I’m afraid our smaller, local “Ballon Fiesta” will have to suffice this year, assuming we are still having it in July! 3 Likes
Re: 2020 Balloon Fiesta UPDATE Reply #5 – April 12, 2020, 01:45:50 pm "I attended the Balloon Fiesta in 2019, and quite honestly it was a HUGE disappointment on all levels."MichaelPerhaps it was the 'manner' of how you attended! Starting in 2005 I drove my new Lazy Daze from Northern California to Albuquerque to attend the Fiesta for eight ( consecutive years. Back then we had a Head Wrangler, Mariel Gertz, who made all the necessary arrangements. We had our own area, rows 4-6, just inside the RV parking area, immediately across the 'Alameda' from the launch field, from which you were free to come or go at any time the balloons were not flying. There was a shuttle that would ferry you to the entrance of the park, just flag it down. But if you were a late starter you could grab a quick cup of joe and step out of the rig to watch the balloons sail directly over your head. Those eight years were the highlight of my LD travels. I met so many new friends, several of whom I'm still in touch with, Andy, Jerry, Annie, Rick, etc. But, as with most things, a person eventually looses interest and so it ended, at least for me. 2 Likes
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