Green flag for static display: winds cancel Thursday's flights at Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Tiny the Fire Dog special shape balloon is the first to join Dawn Patrol in the static display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Elizabeth Tucker Elizabeth TuckerElizabeth Tucker Journal Staff Writer
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"It's not a green chile day, but we don't have a red chile day, we just have a yellow banana day," said the announcer over the loudspeaker at Balloon Fiesta Park on the sixth day of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Visitors couldn't feel the wind from the field, but the special shapes morning flight was turned into a static show as high wind possibilities above the park made flying unsafe.
After a static Dawn Patrol, the special shapes started setting up — Tiny the Fire Dog balloon was the first to inflate — joining Dawn Patrol before the sun was up.
Instead of the normal American flag flight with the National Anthem, pilots did a candlestick display, where they light their burners before the balloon envelope is attached.
The Ring Toss Fly In competition was also cancelled as a result of the high winds warning.
Photos: Thursday at Balloon Fiesta, special shapes, chainsaw carving and sand art
More Balloon Fiesta Pictures
Photo galleries of the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Visitors walk along the vendors row before the show starts at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Visitors stand in line at the Blakes Lotaburger booth before the show starts at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Tiny the Fire Dog special shape balloon is the first to join Dawn Patrol in the static display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Pilots pull their burners for a candlestick display in place of raising the American flag during the National Anthem at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special Shapes stand for a static display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special Shapes stand for a static display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special Shapes stand for a static display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Jonathan Brezzee, left, and Daniel Peck pull down the Preventive Pest Control Balloon at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special shapes stand static at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Daniel Peck pulls the line as the crew works to pack up the Preventive Pest Control balloon at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Pilot Cameron Wall pulls the propane on the Mr. Winter special shape balloon at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. His dad, Byron Wall chats with passersby as Ian Kapinos and Amanda Brodbeck wait to handout balloon cards. Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
The inside of the Mr. Winter special shape balloon at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Amanda Brodbeck hands out cards to visitors while chatting with a friend on FaceTime from the Mr. Winter balloon during the static special shapes display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Pilot Cameron Wall poses for a picture with visitors to the Mr. Winter special shape balloon at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
The Mr. Winter special shape balloon looks over the field at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special shape bulldog balloons stand together during the static display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Returning favorite Airabelle the Creamland cow balloon and new shape Coocko Mag from Brazil stand near each other during the static display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Airabelle the Creamland cow balloon keeps an eye on visitors during the static special shapes display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dyno, a new special shape balloon at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, stands over the field during the static display on Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Crew memebers work to pack away Coocko Mag after a static display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Mandrill, the special shape balloon from Brazil, stands over the crowds at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta during a static display Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
A Brazilian flag waves from the Magic Luna balloon during the special shapes static display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons are reflected in the windows of a bus at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
A chainsaw-carved bear stands on display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw-carved benches stand on display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw-carved art work for sale stands on display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw-carved art work for sale stands on display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw-carved art work for sale stands on display at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw-carved art work for sale stands on display while participants in the Chainsaw Carving Competition work in the background at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Visitors watch participants in the Chainsaw Carving Competion work at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw Carving Competition participants shape logs into works of art at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw Carving Competition participants shape logs into works of art at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw Carving Competition participants shape logs into works of art at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw Carving Competition participants shape logs into works of art at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw Carving Competition participants shape logs into works of art at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Chainsaw Carving Competition participants shape logs into works of art at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
A sand artist sculpts the special shapes balloons out of sand at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
A sand artist shapes the special shapes balloons out of sand at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
