THE 1970'S: 1972-1979 MEET SID CUTTER FOUNDER OF THE ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA® O T nnccee upon a time (and supon a time (and sttill till toodadayy)),, May of 2011, but not before Albuquerque possessed all PHO he got to see what he started Y the necessary ingredients to AMIL fl ourish and become a bucket- become the “ballooning capital list item for balloonists and of the world”. The area provides balloon enthusiasts around the plenty of open areas for fl ying UTTER F world. O C world. and landing, a cadre of devoted enthusiasts, fair Sid was born on May 9th, weather, and following winds with over 300 days 1934, to Virginia Dillon Cutter 1934, to Virginia Dillon Cutter of sunshine every year. Above all (and above it and William P. Cutter. Sid’s and William P. Cutter. Sid’s all!), Albuquerque provided a visionary man who father, William P. “Barnstormer” father, William P. “Barnstormer” was able to pull it all together. Sid Cutter is the Cutter, settled in Albuquerque Cutter, settled in Albuquerque man who breathed fi re into the burgeoning sport and married Virginia, the former and married Virginia, the former of hot air ballooning. governor’s daughter, (Richard C. governor’s daughter, (Richard C. Sidney Dillon Cutter, known to most as Sid, is the man Dillon, was Governor of NM 1928- to whom every balloonatic -- pilot, crew or spectator -- is grateful for bringing hot air ballooning to the city of Albuquerque. Regrettably, Sid left us too soon, in Above:A very young Sid Cutter BY WALLY BOOK WITH DR. TOM MCCONNELL FOR THE AIBF HERITAGE COMMITTEE ® 36 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta