Balloon Fiesta 2021 price, advice, and chase crew

here's a couple tips and tricks to enjoy the 49th annual Balloon Fiesta.  October 2nd -10th, 2021

General admission $15, children 12 and under are free. 

parking at Balloon Fiesta park is $20 cash only.

The park and ride option to avoid the traffic  is $22 Adults, $20 Seniors, $10 children and includes admission. with parking at Coronado Mall, Cottonwood Mall, and Hoffmantown Church

ride your bike to the Fiesta bike valet parking is free. 

Little inspector Balloon - Brazil 

• you will want to get there early because dawn patrol usually starts at 6am with traffic getting in you can expect to leave at 4:30am
• The Balloon Glow usually starts around 6pm followed by a fireworks display.
• dress in layers it can be 53 degrees in the morning jacket weather, by the afternoon its in 70s and 80s a t-shirt will be comfortable. 
• all sessions are weather permitting. If the event cancels due to weather save your ticket for the next session.
• bring a camera, make sure all your batteries are fully charged. 
• there are metal detectors and searches of purses and backpacks at the gate. 
• if you are walking on the field with the balloons and pilots watch the ropes when they are inflating balloons. that rope is going up...

I enjoy the fiesta experience. I like to volunteer for Chase crew. You can sign up day of the event or in advance at the chase crew tower south end of the field. You don't have to drive your vehicle and you get the opportunity to work with the pilots and crew on the field assisting with getting the balloon from a bag in the back of the truck. To fully laid out in your section to inflate. Cold inflate, then the pilot adds the propane to make the envelope float. finally the zebras (launch director) come over and tell you you're next to fly. Watching the balloons fly away is a magical experience and everybody cheers. When you sign up for chase crew you choose the mornings and evenings you are available, you watch an instructional video, you get a free pass for the fiesta and you meet pilots from around the globe. 

Little Inspector pilot and crew 2013

                                                                

Chase crew for America Balloon

Don't forget to get a breakfast burrito and a hot chocolate to complete your experience. 

Check the Balloon Fiesta page for a schedule of events  https://balloonfiesta.com/Event-Schedule 

Purchase tickets here https://balloonfiesta.com/General-Admission

See you at the Balloon Fiesta 

Birthday Freebies in Albuquerque and Beyond

The Melting Pot 

I love to celebrate birthdays why not make it special when you go out. 

Here's a few locations that offer a little something extra. 

• Fuddruckers - Free 1/3 pound original burger the month of your birthday. Fudds Club
• Genghis Grill - free appetizer or dessert with sign up. Free small or regular bowl on your birthday. Note - you will receive your offer 7 days prior to your birthday on file, and this offer is good for up to 14 days after you receive. Cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion. This offer and unique alpha-numeric code will automatically appear in your mobile app - cannot redeem based off of this message. Offer valid toward purchase of SMALL or REGULAR BOWLS only.  Genghis rewards
• Jack in the Box - 2 free tacos with purchase. Jack in the Box offers and stuff
• Krispy Kreme - receive a free doughnut just for signing up. Birthday Rewards are valid from the 1st day of the birthday month until the last day of the birthday month. Krispy Kreme Rewards 
• Pizza Hut - Join the Hut Rewards program and score a birthday gift for yourself each year — currently free cinnamon sticks with a $5 minimum purchase! For your birthday, enjoy free cinnamon sticks at participating Pizza Hut locations. Hut Rewards
• Redbox - Simply sign up online and you'll instantly get a free DVD rental. You'll also get a free 1-night DVD rental during your birthday month. Redbox perks 
• Red Robin - one free Birthday Burger Reward, valid only during the month of your birthday. Valid at participating locations only. Valid on dine-in and dine-out occasions. Offer valid once. The Birthday Burger Reward is good for one free Gourmet, Finest, Tavern Double or Big Style Tavern Burger.  Red Robin Royalty rewards 
• Regal Movie Theater - Treat yourself to a movie night out & present your Regal Crown Club card for a free small popcorn. Offer expires in 30 days from receive date. Regal Crown club 
• Starbucks - On your birthday (as indicated in your Starbucks Rewards account), you will receive one (1) complimentary handcrafted beverage OR one (1) complimentary food item OR one (1) complimentary ready-to-drink bottled beverage ("Birthday Reward"). Valid on your birthday only. sign up here at least 7 days prior to your birthday Starbucks rewards
• Red Lobster - one free dessert for your birthday with purchase of 2 adult entrees. Red Lobster Rewards 
• Target store - Let’s make your big day extra special. Enjoy your 5% off coupon! Find your gift in the Target Circle Offers section in the Target app or at Target.com/Circle
• The Melting Pot - a complimentary box of six of our Signature Dipped Strawberries with any menu purchase while dining in the restaurant. please reserve strawberries 24 hours in advance. Present email voucher at restaurant.  Club Fondue
• Tucanos - Club Tucanos members receive a FREE Birthday Meal during the month of their birthday. If you mention the birthday celebration to your waiter they may end up singing for your birthday. Don't forget to bring your photo ID! Offer is not valid until 24 hours after initial sign-up. Offer is only valid with the purchase of another meal of equal or greater value. Club Tucanos

*these offers are all bound by terms and conditions listed in the rewards club info. so you may want to double check your rewards status or call ahead to see if they are a participating location. 

New Mexico State Fair 2021 Deals and discounts

This year is a little different with covid procedures. Here is a link with info for admission. Please check before you go. https://statefair.exponm.com/p/covid-procedures

When: September 9th- 19th, 2021

 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday - Thursday

 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday - Saturday

General admission: 

Adults (age 12-64): $12 

Seniors (age 65 and up): $8 

Children (age 5-12) $8 

Little Ones (age 0-5) FREE

Tickets can be purchased online here https://statefair.exponm.com/p/buy-tickets

dates and deals: 

9/9 $2 admission opening day, All Law Enforcement Officers get in FREE with valid ID. 

9/10 Friday All Firefighters get in FREE with valid ID or uniform. 

9/13 Monday $2 admission, $25 ride wristband

9/14 All Military and Veterans get in FREE with valid ID or uniform. $5 admission, $20 ride wristband

9/15 Wednesday Dollar Day! $1 admission | $1 rides -$10 minimum purchase | Get $5 off your PRCA Rodeo ticket with the promo code RODEO21

9/16 - $20 ride wristbands | Graze Days from 11am-4pm – every food vendor will offer at least one item from their menu for $3 | $12 adult admission, $8 child (5-12) and senior admission

9/17-9/19 – Friday, Saturday, Sunday, TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEKEND – All teachers will get into the Fair for FREE when they present their district-issued ID or a pay stub at the ticket booth

+Sunday, 9/19 – Get $5 off your PRCA Rodeo ticket with the promo code RODEO21 

Bicycle parking/Bike valet is free  

Lots of free entertainment. music at the pavilion, Indian village artist demonstrations, Car shows on Main street. rides on the midway. and state fair food. 

See you at the fair

 

Albuquerque Railyards and Sunday shopping

 I wanted to get some fresh veggies so I could eat healthier. I don't have a garden or a green thumb so I usually get whatever at the store. I tried something different this week.

Who is it for: All ages, all incomes, there is something for everybody.

What: Fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, salsa, jerky, arts, honey, food trucks, entertainment. all locally sourced. 

When: Sundays 10am - 2pm, May to October.

Where: 777 1st St. SW, Albuquerque

Why: Support local farmers, and vendors

How: by car with free parking, bike with bike valet, Bus, and Rail runner train. They even have curbside pickup. 

Railyard Market is half inside the former blacksmith shop for the railroad. Half outside on the plaza so put on some sunblock. there are over 100 vendors to visit so you may want to allow for a few hours to see them all. There is a lot to see, do, and sample. Bring a backpack or a reusable bag to store all your purchases. 

Alien Mustang

My experience went this way. 

Alien Mustang with helicopter parts

 We were greeted at the entrance with a car show. I like cars. I couldn't resist the alien car. Well mostly car. Its a mix of multiple different mustangs and some helicopter parts. He created the alien to raise spirits during the pandemic. I know it made people smile. 

Then proceed to the start of the market at the bike valet and welcome booth. Here you can ask questions, park your bike, or purchase some double up tokens with EBT. They charge your card and give you double the amount of tokens for purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables and some other vendor items. You can use the tokens at other growers markets in the future. You can also pick up your preordered mixed veggie box with a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. that could kickstart some healthy eating. Next up the plaza with tempting food trucks. So many options its hard to choose. I bought a baklava from Fat City eats and treats. It truly was a treat. I got some fresh carrots, red onions and zucchini from Black mesa farm from San Felipe pueblo. Smoked garlic Jerky from Bar X. I admired many artists designs including Super rad designs Zia empire shirt. I got a steak seasoning spice blend from Chef Rick of old Norse world cuisine. Salsa from Alma's salsa. We ran out of time at 2pm closing time. I will have to return to visit the inside. If you have any Railyard favorites please feel free to comment on this post. Thank you for taking the time to read my review. 

Here is the railyard markets page with lots of info http://railyardsmarket.org/

here is a simple map with a vendor list http://maps.managemymarket.com/4512

Fat city eats and treats

    

Black Mesa farm 

Old Norse world spice blends

Super Rad designs 

Bar X Jerky