Albuquerque, New Mexico – The 49th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will launch on October 2, 2021 for nine days and include more than 500 hot air balloons, of which 100 are anticipated to be special shaped balloons. Pilots from all over the world have been invited to fly in the popular international event.The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta presented by Canon is an annual festival of hot air balloons that takes place every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. The 2019 event generated $186.82 Million into the Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico economies
Guinness World Records verifies a “Picture Perfect” launch of 524 hot air balloons launched from Balloon Fiesta Park on October 6, 2019
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is where the world celebrates ballooning and now it has set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the “Greatest mass hot air balloon ascent” of 524 hot air balloons.Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller applauded the record, “This is another landmark accomplishment for the world’s greatest Balloon Fiesta that we are grateful to have each year in Albuquerque.”
“The 48th Balloon Fiesta included 588 hot air balloon registrations representing 17 countries,” says Director of Operations Sam Parks. “On October 6, 2019, during the regular morning mass ascension, 524 hot air balloons were launched from Balloon Fiesta Park. We document the launch with pictures and videos of the launch, providing a listing of unique banner number issued by the event, and then confirming the launches in two ways: 1) launch Directors, assigned to specific quadrants on Balloon Fiesta Park, collect a launch slip from each pilot just before they leave the ground; 2) the launch numbers are verified by PCWise, a Balloon Fiesta contractor, who oversees refueling of hot air balloon propane tanks following the flight.”
The Garrity Group/Nancy Ann Peterson – photographer (2019)