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

Dawn Patrol lights up the early morning before the sun comes up at the 51st annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Dawn Patrol lights up the early morning before the sun comes up at the 51st annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Dawn Patrol lights up the early morning before the sun comes up at the 51st annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Dawn Patrol lights up the early morning before the sun comes up at the 51st annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Zebra Glenn Young of Corrales and zebra-in-training, or ZIT, Bill Hurlbert of Dallas chat while balloons begin inflating at the 51st annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

A fiesta balloon carries the American Flag as the National Anthem plays while jets fly over on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

A fiesta balloon carries the American Flag as the National Anthem plays while jets fly over on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Propane is pumped into the envelope of the tiger special shape balloon during the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Zebra Glenn Young of Corrales confers with pilot Mark MacSkimming of Hershey, Pa., as the Tiger special shape balloon inflates on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Saturday.

Balloons fill the air on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Balloons fill the air on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Balloons fill the air on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Balloons fill the air on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Balloons fill the air on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Balloons fill the air on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Balloons fill the air on Saturday, the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Balloons fill the air on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Balloons fill the air on the first day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — Several special shapes balloons dry out inside the Albuquerque Convention Center on Saturday after being soaked by torrential rains the night before.

50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — Several special shapes balloons dry out inside the Albuquerque Convention Center on Saturday after being soaked by torrential rains the night before.

50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — Kevin Painter, crew member with the Dawn Patrol, waits out the rain during the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. Thousands gathered to watch the Double Balloon Launch and Competition, early morning rain showers cancelled the Dawn Patrol’s flight.

50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — Balloons lift off during the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. Thousands gathered to watch the Double Balloon Launch and Competition, early morning rain showers cancelled the Dawn Patrol’s flight.

50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — The 50th annual International Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta continues this week. Pictured is a weather balloon being released during the pilots briefing Monday morning where they were warned that this morning’s mass ascension would be hampered by weather. Some pilots decided to inflate and interact with fans instead. Albuquerque, New Mexico.

50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — The 50th annual International Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta continues this week. During the pilots briefing Monday morning they were warned that this morning’s mass ascension would be hampered by weather. Some pilots decided to inflate and interact with fans instead. Pictured are event goers gathered around the American flag in order to sign the National Anthem. Albuquerque, New Mexico

50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — The 50th annual International Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta continues this week. During the pilots briefing Monday morning they were warned that this morning’s mass ascension would be hampered by weather. Some pilots decided to inflate and interact with fans instead. Pictured is pilot Frank Anger of Mississippi inflating his balloon called America during a static display. Albuquerque, New Mexico

50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — Local pilot Elaine Thacher,85, lights up the burner in her balloon Saturday morning as she participates in her last Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Albuquerque, New Mexico

20231007-arts-bfninethings9 — San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town.

20231007-arts-bfninethings9 — San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town.

20231007-arts-bfninethings8 — The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History.

20231007-arts-bfninethings7 — The Quarai mission church is one of three Salinas Mission Ruins, which are fairly close to each other and make a nice day trip.

20250316-go-chacoequinox — Casa Rinconada is the largest of the great kivas found in Chaco Canyon.

20231007-arts-bfninethings4 — Indian Pueblo Cultural Center will host 10 days of special events during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

20231007-arts-bfninethings5 — The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway carries passengers through golden aspens to the top of La Cumbres Pass.

20231007-arts-bfninethings3 — People board the southbound Rail Runner trains at the Santa Fe Depot.

20231007-arts-bfninethings2 — Advocates of a national monument designation for Mimbres Peaks National Monument encompasses the Cooke’s Range, the Florida Mountains, the Good Sight Mountains, and the Tres Hermanas mountains

20231007-arts-bfninethings1 — The Sandia Peak Tramway nears the top of Sandia Crest.

First fiesta launched with 13 balloons and grew into world’s largest — Balloon Fiesta founder Sid Cutter, the designated "roadrunner" in the "Roadrunner and Coyote" race, prepares to launch from the undeveloped dirt lot at the northwest corner of Coronado Shopping Center on April 8, 1972. Unlike fiestas today, only balloon crews were allowed on the launch field.

First fiesta launched with 13 balloons and grew into world’s largest — Balloon Fiesta founder Sid Cutter, the designated "roadrunner" in the "Roadrunner and Coyote" race, prepares to launch from the undeveloped dirt lot at the northwest corner of Coronado Shopping Center on April 8, 1972. Unlike fiestas today, only balloon crews were allowed on the launch field.

Published October 7, 2023 - 8:33 a.m. Modified November 7, 2023 - 3:06 p.m.

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