Balloon festival

[Sandra]

Would like to take a small group 7 rigs to the balloon festival.Any suggestions as where to make reservations.

[Veebyes]

Gremlins

[Veebyes]

Double post

[Veebyes]

What makes the dry camping area so much better. Most mornings the balloons come to you.

Sometimes they come RIGHT to you. Had one land right behind us one morning.

[2gypsies1]

If you stay off-site you'll have lots of slow traffic to contend with. If you can, stay at the Festival itself. You'll get free bus transportation that takes you to the balloon field in 10 minutes. They run continuously. You can also walk back to your RV for a nap, food, etc. and return later. Balloons will be flying over your RV if you choose not to go to the field that day. It's just a lot more convenient.

[mr__ed]

Expect to pay more $$$ at most R Vparks in Albuquerque during the festival. I often spend part of the summer there and have to leave before October or pay quite a large increase for my spot unless it's already been reserved, which is usually the case. I usually stay at Amrican RV Park. It's a nice place. I've found it to be somewhat cooler than the city itself. since it's located at the top of "Nine Mile Hill".

[TechWriter]

Also consider the Havasu Balloon Festival in Lake Havasu City, AZ.

Though the Albuquerque Balloon Festival has 10 times more balloons, it's hard to beat the Lake Havasu scenery (balloons + mountains + water).

[Veebyes]

Dave-Sparky wrote:
We are currently planning to make the Albuquerque Balloon Festival this year and have been looking at the dry camping area as a possibility.

My wife is concerned about the reports of dusty and muddy (if it rains) conditions as well as the smell and hassle regarding the pumper trucks and lack of electrical power as we curenly have only one battery and no generator or solar.

Any past attendees care to comment on the condition reports she has seen?

Dave

You can pay top dollar & have dust or mud. Everywhere is dirt.

Upgrading your battery bank is never a bad idea. The only thing left is the genny. That is something that once you have it, you have it. A whole new world of camping opportunities are now open to you. Most of us get by just fine with a Honda or similar, inverter genny. Most of the time it will run at a low speed hardly making any noise. Leave the fridge & water heater on propane. No need to have enough power for the A/C. The nights are cool.

Don't be tempted by saving a few hundred & getting a cheap, noisy, running at full throttle all the time, open frame 'contractor' genny. You will be the most unpopular person anywhere within earshot of the thing anywhere you go with it except maybe at a NASCAR track.

Honey trucks are a non issue.

[Hiking_Hunter]

We attended last year - 2014. We camped in the area with power and water, but you can answer the question about power question yourself. If you are accustomed to boondocking it should not be a problem. If you are not, and want to stay more than a couple of days, I recommend reserving in the area with power.

As far as the dusty conditions - yes there was a fair amount of dust because there was a lot of wind last year. But, they did water the roads routinely. We had to keep our windows closed about half the time, but it really wasn't a problem. The roads are partially gravel, but I could see where if there is a lot of rain that could be a problem. Put the mat out! Smell from the pumper trucks? Didn't notice any at all. If I remember right the trucks charge $50 to pump out. We didn't do that - we stayed three days and used an off-site free dump station at a gas station a couple of miles from the venue on our way out.

All in all - these were small problems. The festival is well worth the trouble. Reserve early.

[Dave-Sparky]

We are currently planning to make the Albuquerque Balloon Festival this year and have been looking at the dry camping area as a possibility.

My wife is concerned about the reports of dusty and muddy (if it rains) conditions as well as the smell and hassle regarding the pumper trucks and lack of electrical power as we curenly have only one battery and no generator or solar.

Any past attendees care to comment on the condition reports she has seen?

Dave

[Me_Again]

Yep, stay at the balloon park. Then you can come and go during the early morning, day and evening events! Shuttle service is good in. We walked from time to time also to exercise. We were at the very South end(2007) and had a balloon land(sort of) next to our trailers. Pilot was yelling "grab the balloon"! She had the Ambassador from Spain and his aid on board. We helped with the balloon and drank champagne with him!



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Westendorp

[Veebyes]

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is one of the RVer's absolutely 'must do's'.

Done it twice. First time with a large owners group. Second time, simply showing up. No reservation. Stayed at the huge dry camping area with the landing field in the middle.

First weekend, first time, 2007, was full. By Monday there were lots of spaces. Second time, 2009, we arrived no reservation, Sunday afternoon first weekend. Again the dry camping area. Loads of space available & it only got to be more as the week went by.

JMO, but being a short distance from the launch field is better.


You need to be back abit to appreciate how many & how big this event is.

[RollandB]

I've crewed for local balloon friends for over 15 years and we all made a trip to NM about 15 years ago. It is an amazing sight and one you have to see to get the emended feel. Volunteering as crew as some noted is a great way to get a fun perspective, one you won't forget.

[gery_L]

We made the trip over from Phx AZ a few years ago and stayed in the VIP West dry camp area. It was a great time. Right next to the launch field, and every morning the balloons would lift off and head out directly over our 5'r by 30 to 50 feet. Well worth the trip and daily RV site $'s.
So much to do and see at the park and surrounding Albuquerque, and everyone around us was there to have a good time.
But like said before, better sign up soon, as many days are getting filled fast.

[NCWriter]

We liked the "VIP" dry camping section right next to the launch field and Balloon Museum for the convenience of just a short walk. Includes passes to the launch field for your entire stay.

If I remember correctly, the Balloon Fiesta asks that small groups arrive together if they want spaces together.

Enjoy! A great RVing experience.