Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct 5 -13, 2024 info, deals and expectations

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the most photographed event. Get your camera ready.  

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

New Mexico residents free day is Monday October 7th. 

Just show local ID.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. 

Here is the online link https://balloonfiesta.ticketspice.com/2024-albuquerque-international-balloon-fiesta

Parking at Balloon Fiesta park is $20 cash only. 

Park and ride to avoid traffic. Tickets include admission, parking at your closest location Coronado Mall, Cottonwood Mall, Hoffmantown Church and Intel. With advance purchase the prices are $25 Adults, $23 Seniors, $10 children. prices increase same day. buses have easy designated route in and out of the Balloon Fiesta park.

 Here is the link with info https://balloonfiesta.com/Park-Ride

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

Expectations 

• The most balloons launching, entertainment, artists, vendors are at the Mass ascension on Saturday or Sunday Morning. This is also a busy time crowds up to 100,000 people.
• If you don't prefer larger crowds there is space available at the end of the field or go on a less busy day during the week. 
• Balloons launch daily weather permitting. they cant fly in the rain or winds higher than 10mph. We want a safe event. If the event cancels due to weather save your ticket for the next session.
• 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. 
•  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 on site fiesta experience. I usually volunteer for Chase crew. here's some basic info how to crew. You can sign up to crew same 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. 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 balloon 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 world. Win/Win 

Schedule of events here https://balloonfiesta.com/Event-Schedule

Entertainment schedule https://balloonfiesta.com/Entertainment-Schedule

Here is the Special shapes that will be there this year https://balloonfiesta.com/Special-Shape-Rodeo

After the flight the Chase crew has to follow and pack the balloon back up. The balloons land wherever they can find a decent size open space. Hopefully all the neighborhoods welcome our fiesta guests. I love seeing balloons over my house.  

Embrace the Sky

NM State fair deals 2024

New Mexico State Fair, September 5 - 15, 2024 

Swings on the Midway

With the aroma of roasting chiles in the air and back to school you know the New Mexico state fair is right around the corner. This year they are offering the Mega pass for $35 which includes unlimited rides and admission. That could save you up to $20 on weekend pricing. There are available for advance purchase here. https://statefair.exponm.com/p/buy-tickets

Fair Hours

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

(Midway opens 2pm Monday -Friday) 

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

Online Prices - Fair Admission 

Adult - $15.00     ($20 at gate)

Senior (65 and older) - $10.00    ($15 at gate)

Kids (6 to 12 years old) - $10.00    ($15 at gate)

Children 5 and under - FREE 

Here's the deals

• If you want to go on unlimited rides any day of the week the Mega Pass is a good deal $35 includes an all day ride wristband and admission. the ride wristbands usually go for $30 - $40 at the midway weekdays vs weekends. these are only available for a limited time prior to the State Fair. 
• Dollar day is Wednesday 9/11. Admission and ride tickets are $1. earlier in the day is the best time to go. It gets busy when the Midway opens at 2. 
• Main street days has specific themes each day and offers free admission on that day to Law enforcement, fire fighters, military, and veterans. 
• Thursdays are Graze days, All food vendors will offer one regular menu item for just $5 from 10 am - 4 pm.

Getting there

• Gate 1 on Central has parking available for $10.00 from Monday through Thursday and $20.00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Gate 8 on Louisiana offers ample parking but fills quickly. Parking for Gate 8 is $10.00. There is free handicap parking at both gates. 
• There is a shuttle from Coronado Mall for $10 per person
• Ride share like Uber and Lyft has a drop off gate at California and Domingo.
• Bike Valet will check your bike during fair hours FREE

2022 NM State Fair September 8th -18th Deals and highlights

September 8th- 18th, 2022 

Fair Hours: 

10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday - Thursday (Midway opens 2pm Monday -Friday) 

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

Admission: Ticket purchase is available online with a fee purchase tickets via etix

Adult - $15.00
Senior (65 and older) - $8.00
Kids (5 to 12 years old) - $8.00

Children 5 and under - FREE                        

Parking: Gate 1 on Central has parking available for $10.00 from Monday through Thursday and $20.00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Gate 8 on Louisiana offers ample parking but fills quickly. Parking for Gate 8 is $10.00. There is free handicap parking at both gates. 

Bike Valet will check your bike during fair hours FREE

DEALS

$2 admission Opening day 9/8/22

September 9 - 11, 2022 • TEACHER APPRECIATION • All teachers will get in to the Fair for FREE when they present their district issued ID or a pay stub at the ticket booth. Free admission is good for ID holder only.
STATE EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WEEKEND - State employees get in for just $8.00 when they present an ID badge issued by the state agency they work for, or a current pay stub issued by a state agency. Discount is good for ID or paystub holder only.
Monday, September 12, 2022 • Two Dollar Day! $2 admission all day • $25 ride wristbands
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 • Military/Veteran's Day • Free admission for all active & retired military and veterans with valid ID • $5 admission and $25 ride wristbands
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 • Dollar Day! $1.00 admission all day • Dollar Rides! All rides are $1 per ride, with a minimum purchase of 10 rides required. Ride wristbands will not be available for purchase
Thursday, September 15, 2022 • EVERYONE IS A KID TODAY - $8.00 admission all day • $25 ride wristbands • Graze Days - All food vendors on the grounds offer one regular menu item for just $3.00
September 16 - 18, 2022 • City & County Employee Appreciation Day – admission for anyone employed by a New Mexico city or county government get in for just $8.00 • $40.00 Ride Wristbands

If you want additional info on the state fair here is the link https://statefair.exponm.com/p/about

The fun stuff at the State fair. Ten good reasons to go..

1. food- funnel cakes, fry bread, ribbon fries, cotton candy
2. rides -zipper, Rockstar, Ferris wheel, fireball, tilt a whirl
3. games with prizes, try your skills.
4. Appreciation day for Law enforcement 8th, fire fighters 9th, Military and veterans 13th
5. Classic car shows on the weekends 
6. The arts - check out the local artists in several buildings on main street and Indian village
7. Music all around - fantastic local talent performing at the pavilion right next to the food court, strolling piano, street drum corp Free
8. Entertainment - Indian village, Villa Hispana, African American pavilion, Main street, and new this year Discovering Cannabis exhibit in Manuel Lujan exhibit complex Free
9. Animals - Cows, ducks, sea lions, horses, and lorikeets  
10. Support local - The Parade, food trucks, restaurants, artists, musicians, and vendors

Thank you for reading this far and See you at the fair

Inka Gold

Ribbon fries

Strolling piano

    

Fireball