Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
Dawn Patrol lights up the pre-dawn morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Special shapes balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Oct. 13, 2023. (Elizabeth Tucker / Albuquerque Journal)
More than 100 special shape balloons are part of this year’s Balloon Fiesta.
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)
The Special Shape Rodeo started in 1989, according to the Balloon Fiesta, and has become the most popular event at the annual festival.
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 shape balloons fill the air at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Friday morning.
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)
