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There'll be 11 new special shapes at this year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
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Eleven new special shape balloons will fill the sky at this year’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
The special shapes have been a tradition at the fiesta since 1989. This year, Boo, a ghost, Como se Llama, a purple llama head, and King Capybara, a royal rodent, are among those joining the lineup.
Julie Morgas Baca, the executive director of the Balloon Fiesta, said the popularity of the balloons and longevity of the event are a testament to what they believed when special shapes first began.
“They piqued everybody’s interest, and they were interesting, and they were different,” Morgas Baca said. “And I think that if the trend is going to keep, it’s going to keep going for years to come, just because they are very popular, and people look forward to seeing them.”
The new balloons hail from the United States, Brazil and the United Kingdom.
“It’s pretty humbling to know that people will come from across the world to attend our event,” Morgas Baca said.
Some old favorites are returning this year, including the Bees — those being Joey the Little Bee, Joelly and Lilly Little Bee.
“So out of the over 500 balloons that we have, there’s 100 special shapes,” Morgas Baca said. “So they’re unique.”
The nine-day Balloon Fiesta runs Saturday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 12. The special shape balloons can be seen every day of the festival, with two morning events, the Special Shape Rodeo, and two night events, the Special Shape Glowdeo, dedicated to them Thursday, Oct. 9, and Friday, Oct. 10, according to Morgas Baca.
Morgas Baca said the special shape balloons add to the traditions of Balloon Fiesta.
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“I think people have their favorites…,” Morgas Baca said. “And I think they look forward to seeing the special shapes.”
