Marking the northern border of Albuquerque is the corridor of North I-25 and the Balloon Fiesta Park. This newer area of town crows plentiful lodging options and restaurants. Aside from being the premier balloon launch site of Albuquerque, Balloon Fiesta Park is a regional, multi-use, cultural, and recreational park complex. The park also hosts other annual events such as the Albuquerque Wine Festival in addition to the globally popular Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Balloon Fiesta Park is also abode to the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Opened in 2005, the museum provides information about the ballooning culture and history and hosts countless special events and programs throughout the year. The museum is home to one of the most complete collections of stories, images, and artifacts from the ballooning world.
Since the first flights of the balloon in 1783, the permanent exhibition of the museum helps visitors understand the rich ballooning history. This includes the FAI Hall of Fame, Sport Ballooning, and Elevation Station. Special exhibitions include The Weather Lab, Arctic Air, All Black and White, Mecanic Art, and more. The Balloon Museum is open during the Balloon Fiesta and hosts various events like tours, artists and book talks, and remote control balloon exhibitions. The Golf & Event Center is also located in the park just north of the Balloon Museum. Visitors get to enjoy sublime views as they practice their golf skills.
The Golf Center offers programs for children, including half-price Pitch & Putt and golf camps. Competitions especially hole-in-one, longest drive, and 6-hole are offered to all during summer. The center also features a retail shop perfect for all of the visitors' golfing needs, including golf accessories, equipment rentals, and club re-gripping. Albuquerque's premier park is utilized for events such as movie production, model aircraft flying, sports game and practices, bicycle racing, concerts, weddings, company picnics, and more.
Sid Cutter Pilots' Pavilion offers facility rental for both private and public events. Balloon Fiesta Park's Launch Field offers a massive space ideal for sporting and recreational events. With broad paths and open spaces, the Launch Field is best for events looking to raise funds for a good cause, enjoy the outdoors, or have fun.
The yearly nine-day event in early October, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is known as the world's most photograph event and largest hot air ballooning event. Thousands of tourists and hundreds of balloonists from around the globe flock to Balloon Fiesta Park to witness the spectacular event. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an exceptional affair of colorful beauty and one of the most favored and stunning festivals in the world.
Numerous events generally take place at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Some of these events occur on multiple days and some may happen only once. The main events at the balloon fiesta are the Dawn Patrol Show, Balloon Glows, Mass Ascensions, Chainsaw Carving Exhibitions, and AfterGlow Fireworks Show. A wide variety of performances are also available to entertain visitors like Special Shape Rodeo and Photo Contest. Besides the magical spectacle of balloons, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta also showcases some of our day's most talented performers - the majority are local New Mexicans - defining a myriad of genres and styles.
The convention has become a major presentation of New Mexican history and culture and features several cultural exhibitions. The fiesta, being the largest tourist attraction of Albuquerque, constitutes a vital source of income for the local businesses and the city.