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Monday, October 11, 2010
Until Next Year, Balloonists
By Aurelio Sanchez
Journal Staff Writer
The last day of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is bittersweet, like gazing upon a mountain of opened gifts under a still glimmering Christmas tree.
"There is a bittersweet feeling on the final day," fiesta spokeswoman Kathie Leyendecker said, after Sunday's farewell mass ascension of the 39th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Asked to describe in one word the 2010 fiesta, Leyendecker replied: "Perfect."
Perfect as in the weather, which allowed all scheduled mass ascensions to go off; perfect in that organizers estimate between 800,000 and 850,000 "guest visits" to this year's fiesta — at least 40,000 more than last year; and perfect in that it was probably one of the safest fiestas in years.
"It's like when you're part of a very huge family, and you're expecting them to visit, and you pull out all the stops to make sure they have a good time and then when they go, it's a little bittersweet," she said. "You're sad that it's over, but happy that it went so well."
The exception was the pall cast by the absence of balloonists Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer Davis, who disappeared over the Adriatic Sea during a European race just days before the fiesta began.
There were a few minor mishaps at this year's fiesta, such as balloons flying into power lines, including on Sunday. But there were no serious injuries, Leyendecker said.
Meanwhile in vendors' row, vendor Amy Romero of JR's Barbecue said business was good and people were friendly.
"I did notice that a lot more locals were choosing to stay home for vacation during the (New Mexico) State Fair and balloon fiesta," she said.
Frank Wechter and his crew were packing up his balloon "Grape Escape," (so named because the balloon is purple and he likes wine).
"The highlights for me (were) the perfect weather and safe flights every day," he said. "The low point was losing two of my best friends (Abruzzo and Davis), though I know they would have said to those of us still here, to fly another day."
"Now it's back to reality," Wechter said.
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