A look at Balloon Fiesta through the decades: The 1980s

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – This year is the 52nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, several days that are known for their early mornings, delicious food, and, of course, beautiful balloons. But what was the fiesta like years ago? A look back at News 13’s video archives offers a peak into the Duke City’s balloon festival through the decades.

The 1986 lineup for the 15th annual Balloon Fiesta featured many of the events that are still fan favorites today: the Splash and Dash into the Rio Grande, the Gas Balloon Race, and mass ascensions. But footage from the mid-1980s highlights some of the differences between the fiesta years ago and the events today.

While the brightly-colored balloons and large crowds were the same, the field looked very different in the 80s. 1986 and 1987 footage shows a large, mostly dirt lot, but the park has since undergone improvements, with the addition of grass and paved roadways for cars, attendees, and vendors.

The 1980s held many firsts in Balloon Fiesta history:

• 1980 – First appearance of parachutists
• 1981- First Gas Balloon race
• 1984 – Park N Ride begins
• 1987 – First Balloon Glow
• 1989 – First special shapes rodeo

Alongside those firsts were a couple of unique features: In 1986, the launch site was hit with snow on the last day of events, in 1987, a couple took the opportunity to get married inside a hot air balloon, and in 1988, the number of hot air balloons participating in the festival reached 600.

In 1987, the Balloon Fiesta Parade was held, getting community members and visitors excited for the events. That same year, the World Balloon Corporation’s envelope snagged on a power line during landing – luckily, no one was hurt. Keeping the memories for years ahead was much harder in the 80s than it is now; attendees had to endure long wait times and crowded stores to have their film rolls developed.

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