Since I have not had a vacation that doesn't have deer hunting associated with it, I decided to fly to ABQ to visit to visit youngest son for the Fest before heading to Montana. My son says it is awesome. Can't wait.
Absolutely - it is one of THE most photographed events in the world and today's mass ascension was perfect! You get to be on the field with the balloons - note every balloon event allows that. Plus there is all that New Mexico food!!
Enjoy!
I am so excited. Get to see my son. Will have to borrow big son's little Fugi and take "Das Boot". All the better to get through the airport in Minneapolis though I have had a good recovery from two broken bones in my leg.
I have been to the festival and, in fact, flown on a balloon in it. The day we went up, there were 850+ balloons that also went up. Absolutely amazing! Yes, they do let you go onto the field with the balloons so you can watch them prepare and ascend. They have their own "Flight control" center to make sure no balloons are too close when ascending.
Ez's girlfriend and mom went up in one, one year. $$$. We use to have balloons launch in Illinois on the other side of the Mississippi then fly north of our farm in Iowa. They knew us and when they got low enough would say hi.
These might give you a sense of the event...taken at the 2011 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta...showing only a small portion of the launch field and balloons...