Albuquerque Balloon Festival Questions
One of the bucket list type things the Mrs & I have is to take in the big annual balloon fest but we're unsure how to approach it from the RV side of things. We're thinking perhaps the 2020 one would ...
Forum Discussion
Went to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in Oct 2018 and enjoyed the heck out of it. Here are our observations.
1) absolutely get your reservations as early as possible, as they do go quickly, especially for the weekends and especially for the on-site campgrounds.
2) because half the action on weekends and ALL of the action during the week happens right at dawn, get yourself booked into on-site camping so you don't have to get up at midnight and fight your way into the festival grounds. Trust me on this, there is a HUGE difference between getting up at 5 or 6 am and walking to the festival vs getting up at 3 or 4 am, driving to the festival grounds (or better, to one of the shuttle sites). Camping fees are through the roof anyway, and only $10 or so cheaper off-site.
3) be aware that on-site camping is nearly all boon docking, so be prepared to bring your own water and electric.
I think reservations open up right after the end of the festival. That is not too soon to get yours.
The sights, the sounds, and the beauty of a thousand (give or take a few hundred) balloons of all sizes, shapes, and descriptions launching or even just lighting up the grounds/sky is a sight to behold. Take a good camera with you, you are going to need it.
My bride (of now 51 years, that was our present to each other last year for 50 years of wedded bliss) and I highly recommend this event.
1) absolutely get your reservations as early as possible, as they do go quickly, especially for the weekends and especially for the on-site campgrounds.
2) because half the action on weekends and ALL of the action during the week happens right at dawn, get yourself booked into on-site camping so you don't have to get up at midnight and fight your way into the festival grounds. Trust me on this, there is a HUGE difference between getting up at 5 or 6 am and walking to the festival vs getting up at 3 or 4 am, driving to the festival grounds (or better, to one of the shuttle sites). Camping fees are through the roof anyway, and only $10 or so cheaper off-site.
3) be aware that on-site camping is nearly all boon docking, so be prepared to bring your own water and electric.
I think reservations open up right after the end of the festival. That is not too soon to get yours.
The sights, the sounds, and the beauty of a thousand (give or take a few hundred) balloons of all sizes, shapes, and descriptions launching or even just lighting up the grounds/sky is a sight to behold. Take a good camera with you, you are going to need it.
My bride (of now 51 years, that was our present to each other last year for 50 years of wedded bliss) and I highly recommend this event.
