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Full of hot air: Special shapes rodeo takes off without a hitch at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Full of hot air: Special shapes rodeo takes off without a hitch at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
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Elizabeth Tucker Elizabeth Tucker Elizabeth Tucker Journal Staff Writer
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The morning chill melted as the sun rose over the Sandia Mountains while the Chick-Fil-A balloon carried the American flag at opening ceremonies on the seventh day of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Unlike Thursday — when winds canceled the ascension — the weather was perfect for the special shapes rodeo Friday morning.

Special shapes of all sizes, colors and nationalities joined the balloons dotting the October skies with various creatures, faces and objects not usually seen in the sky.

41 pictures of Friday Special Shapes Rodeo

Photo galleries of the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

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Goodbye Balloon Fiesta

  • Jessica Baca
  • Updated

Sunday was the final day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The farewell mass ascension was canceled due to yellow flag wea…

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Moments from the final day of Balloon Fiesta

  • Jessica Baca
  • Updated
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Saturday Balloon Glow

  • By Elizabeth Tucker / Journal Staff Writer
  • Updated

A warm, hazy evening greeted the large crowds at Saturday's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta's evening glow.

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Photos: Witnesses to the "Ring of Fire" Solar Eclipse

  • Chancey Bush, Eddie Moore, Jessica Baca
  • Updated

Balloon Fiesta attendees watched the “Ring of Fire” annular eclipse during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park…

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41 pictures of Friday Special Shapes Rodeo

  • By Elizabeth Tucker / Journal Staff Writer
  • Updated

Friday's Special Shapes Rodeo had a smooth ascension and no weather hindered the balloons' flights across the park.

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Photos: Thursday at Balloon Fiesta, special shapes, chainsaw carving and sand art

  • By Elizabeth Tucker / Journal Staff Writer
  • Updated

After a static Dawn Patrol, the special shapes started setting up — Tiny the Fire Dog balloon was the first to inflate — joining Dawn Patrol b…

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Photos: Interdimensional travel in Meow Wolf's Skyworm balloon

  • Chancey Bush
  • Updated

Wednesday in Corrales during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

  • By Elizabeth Tucker / Journal Staff Writer
  • Updated
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Photos: Tuesday at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

  • By Elizabeth Tucker / Journal Staff WriterBy Chancey Bush / Journal Staff Photographer
  • Updated

The weather continued to be beautiful for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta as day four kicked off Tuesday morning.

Check out these photos from Monday's dawn patrol at the at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

  • Updated
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Check out 20 photos from Day 2 of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

  • Gino Gutierrez / Journal
  • Updated
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All of The Journal's photos from Day 1 of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

  • Eddie Moore / Journal
  • Updated

The 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta started Saturday morning with hundreds of balloons taking part in the mass ascension.

Fiesta from above

  • By Elizabeth Tucker / Journal Staff Writer
  • Updated
LifestyleFeatured

51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: Here are 19 photos from Saturday morning

  • By Elizabeth Tucker / Journal Staff Writer
  • Updated

Despite some delays the 51st annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off spectacularly Saturday morning. Thousands of visitors …

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Photos: International Balloon Fiesta kicks off with early morning flights from local schoolyards

  • Jon Austria / Journal
  • Updated
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Photos: City crews and vendors prepare Balloon Fiesta Park for upcoming festival

  • Jon Austria / Journal
  • Updated

Balloon Fiesta News

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Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Visitors sport cow ear headbands from Chick-Fil-A as the franchise's balloon prepares to launch at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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The Chick-Fil-A balloon lifts the American flag above Balloon Fiesta Park as the National Anthem is sung at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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A visitor takes a picture of the rainbow riders balloons inflating on their cellphone at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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More than 100 special shape balloons are part of this year’s Balloon Fiesta.
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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The Special Shape Rodeo started in 1989, according to the Balloon Fiesta, and has become the most popular event at the annual festival.
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shape balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Friday morning.
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)

Did you save your ticket? Last year's rain checks for Balloon Fiesta are still good. Here's how to use them

What does the weather forecast look like for the Balloon Fiesta?

Going to Balloon Fiesta? Here's a survival guide

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