Special shape balloons are one of many different types of balloons that can fly during the 2024 Balloon Fiesta

October 2, 2024

At the 52nd event, guests will see standard, racing, custom, home-built and remote-controlled hot air balloons

Albuquerque, NM – The 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, supported by ExxonMobil, is scheduled to launch October 5-13, 2024 as the largest hot air balloon event in the world. As the 500-plus hot air balloons launch into Albuquerque’s turquoise sky, guests will see a variety of hot air balloon shells, including standard, racing, custom-shaped, homemade and remote-controlled hot air balloons.

Standard balloons

The most popular balloon at Balloon Fiesta is the standard hot air balloon. Standard shape balloons can be 65 feet wide and 10 stories tall and are made from nearly 3,000 square feet of nylon fabric, 9 miles of thread and 3/4 mile of reinforced nylon fabric. Commercial hot air balloons range in size from 150,000 cubic feet to over 300,000 cubic feet to accommodate larger baskets and additional guests. Small hot air balloons carry 2-4 passengers, while larger gondolas can carry more than 10 passengers. Standard balloons typically carry 30 to 40 gallons of propane in stainless steel fuel tanks in their nacelles and use about 15 to 25 gallons during a one-hour flight.

The 2024 Balloon Fiesta will feature over 400 standard hot air balloons in the mass release events. Learn more about Mass Ascension at https://balloonfiesta.com/Mass-Ascension.

Racing balloons / competition balloons

Competitive pilots will demonstrate their skills in elegant “racing balloons”. Designed for national and world class competitions, these modern balloons feature a higher, thinner profile compared to the standard balloon shape. This shape allows for faster climb and descent and helps pilots react quickly to changing conditions. A competition-sized balloon typically has a volume of between 1,800 and 2,200 cubic meters and can cost up to $40,000. Rapid ascents and descents in the range of 1400-1800 feet per minute are typical for these balloons in competitions. Competitions take place at national, regional and international levels.

NOTE: Pilots using standard balloon envelopes can also participate in balloon competitions and win with the right pilot! The balloon competitions at Balloon Fiesta will test pilots’ skills and strategy during morning sessions on October 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th. Further information about the competition tasks can be found at https://balloonfiesta.com/Competition.

Balloons in special shapes

This year’s Balloon Fiesta will host the largest gathering of specially shaped balloons with a total of 106 balloons. Special shape balloons are unique and creatively designed balloons that deviate from the traditional round shape. They can take various forms, including characters, products, and whimsical creatures. Special shape balloons can be up to 160 feet tall and can cost between $25,000 and $250,000 depending on size and complexity.

Learn more about the special shape balloons that will be at the 2024 event at https://balloonfiesta.com/Post/Albuquerque-International-Balloon-Fiesta-Announces-All-Special-Shapes-Attending-the- 52nd event.

Homemade balloons

A group of “homemade”/experimental hot air balloon envelopes will be used for launch from an area on the Balloon Fiesta field. These balloon pilots purchased templates from long-time balloon pilot Alan Baird of Canada. Once they received the template, many of them began sewing their balloons in their basements and garages. The finished balloons were properly flight tested and met all requirements for participation in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Find out more about Alain Baird and his ballooning background in his interview in the Balloon Fiesta newsletter here: https://balloonfiesta.com/Pin-Post/Inside-the-Basket-Alain-Bard-Balloon-Pilot.

Remote-controlled balloons / “Globitos”:

Remote control (RC) balloons are scale model balloons that are about a quarter the size of a standard hot air balloon – about 20 feet tall. These “Globitos” are miniature wonders with 14 special shapes of their own. The third annual Remote Control Balloon Rally will feature at least 57 tethered balloons being remotely controlled by trained operators. The Fiesta de los Globitos begins at 7:30 a.m. during the morning mass ascensions on October 6th, 9th and 11th and during the Night Magic Glow on October 12th.

For more information about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, visit https://balloonfiesta.com/.

About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta powered by ExxonMobil is a hot air balloon festival held in October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloonists and balloonists in the world. For event details, schedule, entertainment and photos, visit our website www.balloonfiesta.com and follow us on X/Twitter @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.

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