Balloon Fiesta sees near-perfect first day

Posted at: 10/03/2009 6:40 PM | Updated at: 10/03/2009 9:11 PM
By: Kayla Anderson, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

It was a beautiful morning at Balloon Fiesta Park on Saturday— a nice start to the nine-day fiesta.

Many attendees were at the park all day long-- starting with the Dawn Patrol.

With sunshine, light winds and hundreds of balloons making it up and down safely, it was a home-run for day one of Balloon Fiesta.

Under a dark blanket of Albuquerque sky, the Dawn Patrol balloons lit the way for the 38th Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

With more than 600 balloons taking to the skies, it's no wonder the fiesta is the most-photographed event in the world.

Attendees traveled from near and far for the sounds and sights of the fiesta.

Albuquerque resident Joe Connor said Saturday, "You see it so many times, but it's just amazing to watch every year."

George Ramirez from El Paso makes the drive annually. He said, "At least 15 years I think we've been coming out here. Every year, we enjoy it. Great weather— Albuquerque is a great place to be at this time of year."

Day one of the fiesta couldn't have gone more smoothly-- balloons traveling in a perfect box, and many enjoying a dip in the Rio Grande.

On Saturday evening, windy weather forced the cancellation of the Twilight Twinkle Glow.

Windy weather also kept the America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race from lifting off on Saturday. The gas balloon pilots try to fly the farthest in the competition.

The gas balloons will try to lift off once again on Sunday morning.

Nighttime visitors to Balloon Fiesta Park were treated to a fireworks display that started before 8 p.m.

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