Albuquerque International Balloon Festival Oct11

We arrived at one of the balloon festival campgrounds about dark Oct 10.  In all, the festival has about 800,000 attendees, and close to 600 balloons including 90 shaped balloons.  These come from most states and about 17 foreign countries (even Slovenia and Lithuania).  The festival is said to be the most photographed event in the world.  We found the camping area was like a small city.

Before dawn Oct 11, we caught one of the many school bus shuttles ferrying people to the balloon launch.  As we approached where everybody was going, the dawn patrol show was starting.

These balloons are launched to determine wind conditions aloft..  Because of local geography wind may concurrently go in several directions depending on altitude.

The heat from the propane flames provided a little relief from the 35 degree temperature that morning.. 

We felt like we were walking among pit crews as we walked among the balloons.   The activity or readying and releasing is called crewing. We really felt a part of the big event

This ascension featured shaped balloons.

 Photo shows maybe a quarter of the balloons launched this AM.

Besides the shapes there were striking designs

Competitions followed the ascension.  Balloons rose and fell to catch winds of different directions to return to the field.

These guys are trying to fly as close to the ground as possible without touching (disqualification) then ascend again. Another competition involves the pilot grabbing an envelope from a pole about 20 ft. tall. The prize could be keys to a new car or cash money since this is the most difficult maneuver.

Albuquerque mounted police had a nice presence on their percherons.

But the balloons were the main attractions.

About 10 balloons were from a local business that take passengers up for a ride.  These folks had just left the ground.