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The sites of Balloon Fiesta
Stephanie Muñiz
Reporter
The sites of Balloon Fiesta
THE STREET. THAT’S A REFINED STEPHANIE MUNOZ. HEY GUYS. RIGHT NOW I’M THE SOUTH RV PARKING LOT FOR BALLOON FIESTA PARK. BUT IT WAS ONCE AS BALLOON IT WAS THE FIRST TIME CITY LAND WAS USED. THE EVENT. THE FIESTA WAS HERE FROM 1986 TO 1995. DURING THIS TIME, THEY GAVE FIESTA GOERS A NEW NIGHTTIME EXPERIENCE. AND A FEW YEARS LATER, THEY ADDED THE SPECIAL SHIP RODEO. BECAUSE THIS WAS ORIGINALLY A LANDFILL THE AREA COULDN’T BE PERMANENTLY DEVELOPED AND THERE WASN’T MUCH ROOM FOR GROWTH. THE ENTIRE PARK WAS 77 ACRES, ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS THE GRASSY AREA, THE CURRENT PARK. IN 1996, THE EVENT MOVED TO ITS HOME RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. SO THIS CURRENT SITE IS FULLY GRASSED. IT’S MORE COMFORTABLE FOR THE PILOTS AND THE GUESTS AND AND IT’
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The sites of Balloon Fiesta
Stephanie Muñiz
Reporter
Balloon Fiesta has launched from several locations in Albuquerque, including present-day Balloon Fiesta Park.Coronado Center and the state fairgroundsThe first location was Coronado Center. That year, 13 balloons participated, and a crowd of about 20,000 people attended.The event was so successful that it moved to the state fairgrounds the next two Februaries and continued to grow.The event had competitors from 38 countries meet for the world hot air balloon championships.The event eventually grew to 128 balloons.Simms FieldIn 1975, the event became so large that it was moved to Simms Field. At the time, it was the home of more than 370 hot air balloons. Simms Field was located near I-25 and Jefferson in northeast Albuquerque.The park was named Simms Field after the family that owned the land.When the Balloon Fiesta was moved to Simms Field, the event date was also moved from February to October.Simms Field was also the site of the first live broadcast of Balloon Fiesta on KOAT 7.The event was held at Simms Field until 1980.Cutter FieldAs Balloon Fiesta continued to grow, it again needed a new home.Cutter International Balloon Port was established on Osuna Road between Edith Blvd and Interstate 25.Sid Cutter dedicated the park by smashing a champagne bottle as he flew into the sky.The site is now known as Vista Del Norte Park and is a popular landing spot for many balloonists.Old Balloon Fiesta ParkBalloon Fiesta again outgrew its space and relocated again.The then-new Balloon Fiesta Park was established in 1986 near Alameda Bouleard and Edith Boulevard. It was the first time land owned by the city was used for the event.During the time at Old Balloon Fiesta Park, many events were added, including the special shape rodeo.The site of Old Balloon Fiesta Park couldn't be permanently developed, and there wasn't much room there for growth. The last Balloon Fiesta at Old Balloon Fiesta Park was held in 1995.Balloon Fiesta ParkIn 1996, Balloon Fiesta moved to the current Balloon Fiesta Park.The park is located north of Alameda Boulevard and west of Interstate 25, along Balloon Fiesta Parkway.This park sits across the street from the Old Balloon Fiesta Park.

Balloon Fiesta has launched from several locations in Albuquerque, including present-day Balloon Fiesta Park.

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Coronado Center and the state fairgrounds

The first location was Coronado Center. That year, 13 balloons participated, and a crowd of about 20,000 people attended.

The event was so successful that it moved to the state fairgrounds the next two Februaries and continued to grow.

The event had competitors from 38 countries meet for the world hot air balloon championships.

The event eventually grew to 128 balloons.

Simms Field

In 1975, the event became so large that it was moved to Simms Field. At the time, it was the home of more than 370 hot air balloons. Simms Field was located near I-25 and Jefferson in northeast Albuquerque.

The park was named Simms Field after the family that owned the land.

When the Balloon Fiesta was moved to Simms Field, the event date was also moved from February to October.

Simms Field was also the site of the first live broadcast of Balloon Fiesta on KOAT 7.

The event was held at Simms Field until 1980.

Cutter Field

As Balloon Fiesta continued to grow, it again needed a new home.

Cutter International Balloon Port was established on Osuna Road between Edith Blvd and Interstate 25.

Sid Cutter dedicated the park by smashing a champagne bottle as he flew into the sky.

The site is now known as Vista Del Norte Park and is a popular landing spot for many balloonists.

Old Balloon Fiesta Park

Balloon Fiesta again outgrew its space and relocated again.

The then-new Balloon Fiesta Park was established in 1986 near Alameda Bouleard and Edith Boulevard. It was the first time land owned by the city was used for the event.

During the time at Old Balloon Fiesta Park, many events were added, including the special shape rodeo.

The site of Old Balloon Fiesta Park couldn't be permanently developed, and there wasn't much room there for growth. The last Balloon Fiesta at Old Balloon Fiesta Park was held in 1995.

Balloon Fiesta Park

In 1996, Balloon Fiesta moved to the current Balloon Fiesta Park.

The park is located north of Alameda Boulevard and west of Interstate 25, along Balloon Fiesta Parkway.

This park sits across the street from the Old Balloon Fiesta Park.