Duke City Redi Mix launches new special shape hot air balloon

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – One of the best parts of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: the special shapes. Dozens of new shapes will take to the skies this year, including a concrete mixer from Duke City Redi Mix.

It’s something you typically see driving around in the streets, but now, it’s joining the fleet of special shapes at this year’s Balloon Fiesta.

“This is a complex shape; it’s really big. It’s really heavy,” said Ultra Magic, Director of Operations, John Petrehn.

Meet Sir Mix-A-Lot : a concrete mixer hot air balloon from Duke City Redi Mix.

“We wanted to jump into the ballooning community a little bit and bring joy and pride in our community,” said Duke City Redi Mix CEO and Owner Miles Shiver.

Shiver grew up going to Fiesta, but now he gets to see it from a different angle.

“We’re really excited to be part of it and to get to know people a little bit better in the ballooning community and specifically with Fiesta to just be a bigger part of it, and we’re excited to jump into that,” said Shiver.

The one-of-a-kind balloon is 100 feet and 130 feet wide, weighing over 1,000 pounds. Rivaling the iconic cow, Airabelle, in size.

“We had an idea of what we wanted. We wanted it to look like a traditional mixer truck, and they said well how about this idea, so it will be easier to fly and fly more often,” said Shiver, taking notes from the pros in the design process.

“This balloon should be able to fly a pilot and two or three flight crew here in Albuquerque comfortably,” said Petrehn.

As Balloon Fiesta creeps closer, they are excited for the balloon’s debut.

“Man, when we get to inflate it. It’s just incredible. It’s going to put a smile on a lot of people’s faces,” said Petrehn.

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