Giving back: NM residents to get free admission to Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 7
Balloons fly over the Rio Grande during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 2023.
Chancey Bush/Journal
Adrian Gomez Adrian GomezAdrian Gomez Journal Arts Editor
PublishedModified
With a 2023 event that saw an estimated 968,516 guests, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the biggest annual event in the state.
On Wednesday, the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors announced that during the 2024 event, there will be free admission to New Mexico residents during one day of flying events. Flying events usually start after mass ascensions about mid-morning.
The board said the day is Monday, Oct. 7, and is called New Mexico Day. The Balloon Fiesta’s volunteer board of directors unanimously voted for it.
“Balloon Fiesta is so appreciative of the support this event receives throughout our state,” said Judy Nakamura, the board president. “Allowing residents into Balloon Fiesta free on October 7 is our way of saying thank you.”
While admission is free for New Mexico residents on Oct. 7, there will still be a charge for parking, according to the board. Parking for all Balloon Fiesta sessions is $20.
According to Nakamura, on Oct. 7, New Mexico residents will arrive in person at ticket booths, which are located at the entrance gates. Each resident will show a photo ID with a New Mexico address or a utility bill with a New Mexico address to receive a ticket.
Active duty military should bring a military identification card and show it to a Balloon Fiesta ticket booth.
Children who are 12 and younger already receive free admission to the fiesta.
These are the Journal's 100 favorite photos from 2023 Balloon Fiesta
Balloons take flight during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday.Chancey Bush
Balloons crowd the field Oct. 7.Chancey Bush
Brian Carlson of Topeka, Kan., inflates his balloon Dreams Fulfilled as he and other members of the Dawn Patrol get ready to launch on Saturday.Eddie Moore
Iva Grahek, left, from Washington, D.C., and Jailyn Weaver, from Colorado Springs, watch members of the Dawn Patrol launching at the start of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Saturday.Eddie Moore
Bob Mass of Albuquerque, an Air Force veteran, stands at attention during the national anthem at the start of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.Eddie Moore
Kyle Laxton, with Rainbow Riders, sets up a 315,000 cubic foot balloon that carries 12 people, at the start of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Saturday, October 7, 2023.Eddie Moore
Scott White, center, with his grandson Merrick White, 2, and wife Lori White, from Unadilla, N.Y., watch the mass ascension at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Saturday.Eddie Moore
Kelton Mitchell and Caroline Babcock, from Farmington, watch the mass ascension at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Saturday, October 7, 2023.Eddie Moore
Lori Joyce, from Salt Lake City, takes photos of the mass ascension at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Saturday, October 7, 2023.Eddie Moore
Aaron Duran and his son Avi, 3, from Albuquerque, watch hundreds of hot air balloons launch during the mass ascension at the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.Eddie Moore
Geese fly by the Wonder hot air balloon during Saturday's mass ascension.Eddie Moore
The hot air balloon "Rat Cheese" from Brazil, is being featured for the first time at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Saturday, October 7, 2023.Eddie Moore
Andrea and Luck Pho of Rendondo Beach, Calif., watch hundreds of hot air balloons launch during the mass ascension at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.Eddie Moore
Hundreds of hot air balloons, in all shapes and sizes, launch during the mass ascension at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Saturday morning.Eddie Moore
Mayrin Cardenas, 11, and her family, from Mexico, watch hundreds of hot air balloons launch during the mass ascension at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Saturday.Eddie Moore
Pilot Rick Kerber, of Michigan, fills Meow Wolf’s Skyworm balloon with hot air in preparation for mass ascension at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday.Chancey Bush
Pilot Rick Kerber, of Michigan, walks past Meow Wolf’s Skyworm balloon after landing in Corrales during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.Chancey Bush
Balloons fly near Sandia Lakes next to the Rio Grande and east of Corrales during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday.Chancey Bush
Pilot Rick Kerber, of Michigan, gives five-year-old Kurt DeRadke Meow Wolf’s Skyworm balloon card after landing in Corrales during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.Chancey Bush
Balloons fly over the Rio Grande during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 2023.Chancey Bush
Pilot Rick Kerber, of Michigan, and the chase crew lower Meow Wolf’s Skyworm balloon after landing in Corrales during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.Chancey Bush
Balloons fly over Corrales during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday.Chancey Bush
People react during the National Anthem at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.Chancey Bush
Balloons float in the sky during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.Chancey Bush
Balloons prepare for flight during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.Chancey Bush
Balloons take flight during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct.11, 2023.Chancey Bush
Balloons float in the sky during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct.11, 2023.Chancey Bush
View from above in Meow Wolf’s Skyworm balloon during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.Chancey Bush
Pilots prepare for flight during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.Chancey Bush
People cast shadows as they walk by the 1 DOWN 8-2 GO balloon during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.Chancey Bush
Mackenzie Kircher, 2, watches balloons launch with her father, Ted Kircher, during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Saturday.Chancey Bush
A fly over during the national anthem at Balloon Fiesta on Saturday.Chancey Bush
Lora McKown, who is a zebra, aka a launch director, center, waits to direct the Entrapment balloon to launch during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Saturday.Chancey Bush
A shadow of a crew member is cast on a balloon in preparation for mass ascension launch at Saturday’s Balloon Fiesta.Chancey Bush
Balloons launch during the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque.Chancey Bush
Children play with their kites at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Sunday.Gino Gutierrez
Three of Great American Kites & Events’ kites fly high in the sky at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Sunday.Gino Gutierrez
Michael Piro, left, helps inflate the Raks Building Supply balloon at MacArthur Elementary School in Albuquerque on Friday morning, Oct. 6, 2023.Jon Austria
The Raks balloon, left, and Morning Magic take flight from MacArthur Elementary School in Albuquerque on Friday.Jon Austria
Balloons lift off during the Mass Ascension at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.Chancey Bush
Albuquerque Police Department's Horse Mounted Unit patrols the field under a sea of balloons during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.Chancey Bush
Balloons lift off during the Mass Ascension at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.Chancey Bush
Albuquerque Police Department's Horse Mounted Unit patrols the field under a sea of balloons during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.Chancey Bush
Balloons light up the sunset during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Saturday evening Oct. 14, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons light up the sunset during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Saturday evening Oct. 14, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons light up the sunset during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Saturday evening Oct. 14, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons light up the sunset during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Saturday evening Oct. 14, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons light up the sunset during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Saturday evening Oct. 14, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons light up the sunset during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Saturday evening Oct. 14, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons light up the sunset during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Saturday evening Oct. 14, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons light up the sunset during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Saturday evening Oct. 14, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons light up the sunset during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Saturday evening Oct. 14, 2023.Elizabeth Tucker
A sand artist shapes the special shapes balloons out of sand 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)
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)
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)
Jay Peller walks through his booth Alpaca World at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Thursday.Elizabeth Tucker
Visitors walk along the vendors row before the show starts at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 12, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Piles of hats and gloves are stacked next to an alpaca wearing an alpaca hat at the Alpaca World booth at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.By Elizabeth Tucker
Balloons launch as the fourth day of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicks off.
Special shape balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Friday morning.Elizabeth Tucker
Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
A young girls looks on as pilots apart of the Dawn Patrol inflate their balloons at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Sunday, October 8, 2023.Gino Gutierrez
Tanya Hernandez, left, Joseph Hernandez and Amaya Hernandez watch as balloons inflate at MacArthur Elementary School in Albuquerque’s North Valley on Friday.Jon Austria
The "ring of fire" annular eclipse during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.Chancey Bush - member image share, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photographers gather to take pictures of the balloons from the media tower at the 51st annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Gas balloons inflate in preparation for the launch of the 66th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett gas balloon race at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, on Oct. 7, 2023.Jessica Baca
Tiffanie Steward flies a kite with her 2-year-old son Brad during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Thursday. High winds canceled some events during Thursday’s Fiesta.Chancey Bush
A balloon basket flies by a fellow dawn patrol balloon at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Monday, October 9, 2023.Gino Gutierrez
Mike Rightley's Breaking Wind hot air balloon, from Albuquerque, lands in a field between Corrales and RIo Rancho on the 4th day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Tuesday, October 10, 2023.Eddie Moore
John Criswell plays a record in front of his 1927 Ford Model T Touring Car at the Fiesta of Wheels Car Show on Sunday.Gino Gutierrez
Several kites from Great American Kites & Events fly above Balloon Fiesta Park at the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Sunday.Gino Gutierrez
More than 100 vehicles were on display at the Fiesta of Wheels Car Show during the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Sunday.Gino Gutierrez
Elya Arrasmith watches the “Ring of Fire” eclipse during the Albuquerque International Balloon FiestaOct. 14, 2023Chancey Bush
Balloon pilots release flames while watching the “Ring of Fire” eclipse during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on SaturdayOctober 14, 2023. The pilots were supposed to participate in a balloon glow, but winds were too brisk for the balloons to inflate.Chancey Bush
Brianna Garcia watches the “Ring of Fire” annular eclipse during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.Chancey Bush
People watch the moon's shadow pass over the sun during the “Ring of Fire” annular eclipse during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.Chancey Bush
The Poland-1 gas balloon, center right, slowly inflates in preparation for the launch of the 66th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett gas balloon race at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque on Oct. 7, 2023.Chancey Bush
Gas balloons slowly inflate in preparation for the launch of the 66th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett gas balloon race at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque in October 2023.Chancey Bush
Ryan Duff and Chole Reeder dissemble their hot air balloon basket after the announcement that the farewell mass ascension had been canceled due to windy conditions on the last day of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.Gino Gutierrez
Crew member Clare Mares from the balloon Teddy Twins wears her gloves in pride. Teddy Twins was one of the few balloons that went up during the static display during the morning yellow flag at Balloon Fiesta Park Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.Jessica Baca
The crew of the balloon Morning Wood from Rio Rancho New Mexico packed their gear for the last time at Balloon Fiesta Park Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.Jessica Baca
Allison Hoskins, a pilot in training for the balloon The Flying Circus, took the pilot seat at the candlestick glow at Balloon Fiesta Park on Sunday.Jessica Baca
The crew for the balloon Morning Wood, from Rio Rancho, packs its gear for the last time at Balloon Fiesta Park on Sunday.Jessica Baca
Teddy Twins from Yuma, Arizona, is one of the few balloons that went up during a static display at Balloon Fiesta Park on Sunday.Jessica Baca
Balloons fill the air during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 7, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons fill the air during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 7, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons fill the air during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 7, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons fill the air during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 7, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons fill the air during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 7, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Mark MacSkimming pilots the tiger special shape balloon as balloons fill the air during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 7, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons fill the air during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 7, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons fill the air during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 7, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Balloons fill the air during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct. 7, 2023 (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
According to Fiesta spokesman Tom Garrity, regular tickets for the 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place Oct. 5-13, will go on sale at 9 a.m. Friday, April 5.
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Tickets for all flying events will be on sale, including Monday’s general admission tickets; however, the New Mexico Day tickets will only be available on Monday, Oct. 7, at a Balloon Fiesta ticket booth. There also will be no rain checks or refunds for New Mexico Day tickets.
Garrity said this is the first time New Mexico Day will happen, adding that “our intention is that it will continue.”
