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'Oh my gosh!' Albuquerque kids get the first taste of this year's Balloon Fiesta
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Showing up to school a couple hours early isn’t so bad when you’re watching balloons.
From the comfort of their own schoolyard, about 200 MacArthur Elementary School parents and children, some wrapped in blankets and clutching cups of hot chocolate or coffee, gathered bright and early Friday morning to watch two balloons set up and launch from the schoolyard in the North Valley.
They were just one part of a citywide event, known as Albuquerque Aloft, where dozens of elementary schools kicked off this year’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. In all, just over 140 balloons took off from schoolyards Friday morning, Balloon Fiesta spokesman Tom Garrity said.
Children ran and played as balloon crew members unfurled their envelopes, their breath misting in the crisp morning air. One crew got help pulling their envelope open from 2-year-old Ronin Chapman.
Getting children up close to balloons is why pilot Frankie Martinez said he participates in Albuquerque Aloft, because it helps them get excited for an event they may not otherwise be able to attend in person.
“Listen to the schoolyard. That’s why,” added pilot Anthony “Buzz” Biernacki over the clamor of children. “It brings Fiesta here.”
For over 20 minutes, families gathered at the edges of the tarps the crews had laid out to unfold the envelopes, expectantly waiting to warm up by the heat of the burners that propel slowly lift the balloons up and into the sky.
Then, finally, came the fire.
“Oh my gosh!” screamed 4-year-old Curtis Harper Jr. as flames from the burners roared and the balloons began to inflate.
“Look at that balloon! And that balloon — and that balloon!” he added, pointing out each balloon he could see already floating through the morning skies.
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To ride in a balloon, you must be tall enough to see over the edge of the basket while standing, a prerequisite that would preclude most of the children in attendance from taking a ride.
That was a disappointment for 7-year-old Eyzaiah Arnett. But even if he didn’t get to get in board one of the balloon’s baskets, he said getting up and being at school about two hours early was well worth it because “balloons are cool.”
Martinez’s balloon was the first to take off, followed a few minutes after by Biernacki’s Morning Magic. Children ran after the balloons, waving and yelling, as they floated off to join the dozens of other balloons already dotting the skies above Albuquerque.
The Balloon Fiesta officially begins Saturday morning and runs through Oct. 15. The city announced Friday that Mayor Tim Keller will help officially open Balloon Fiesta during the Mass Ascension Ceremony, flying in the balloon carrying the American flag to the sound of "The Star Spangled Banner."
Keller and Chief Administrative Officer Lawrence Rael will ride in the “Spirited Fiesta” and “Fiesta Gold” balloons.
Photos: International Balloon Fiesta kicks off with early morning flights from local schoolyards
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