July 4, 1882 October 19, 1909 1965 June 5, 1971 June 6, 1971 Professor Park Van Tassel During the last of several The fi rst modern hot- Cutter Aviation holds The next morning, Sid makes the fi rst balloon gas balloon fl ights in the air balloon comes to a party to celebrate its and Bill Cutter fl y their fl ight in Albuquerque in a early 1900’s, Joseph Albuquerque, one of a anniversary and co- “party centerpiece” from coal gas balloon. Blondin and Roy Stamm handful to appear in New founder Virginia Cutter’s the Cutter hangar to the launch from the New Mexico in the next few birthday. Son Sid Cutter UNM North Golf Course. Mexico Territorial Fair years. acquires a hot-air balloon and fl y over the Manzano which is cold-infl ated Mountains. It is the last in the hangar as a manned balloon fl ight in centerpiece. Albuquerque for more than 50 years. 1978 1978 1976 October 1975 1975 The Balloon Fiesta holds Albuquerque’s Ben Sid Cutter retires The Second World Hot Air A “citizens committ its fi rst Key Grab - now Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, from managing the Balloon Championships formed by Ma the Ring Toss - event and Larry Newman Balloon Fiesta to focus and the Fourth Kinney to assis (nobody won the car). complete the fi rst on his businesses; Annual Albuquerque putting on and funding crossing by balloon of Mayor Kinney and International Balloon the Balloon Fie the Atlantic Ocean. The local business leaders Fiesta are held on a fl ight makes headlines form Albuquerque new site, Simms Field, around the world and International Balloon northwest of Jeff erson puts Albuquerque, and Fiesta Inc., a non-profi t and I-25. ballooning, on the map. corporation which produces the Balloon Fiesta to this day. 1978 1979 1980 1981 1981 The world’s fi rst Dawn On Christmas Eve, the Parachute Development closes Ben Abruzzo, Patrol fl ight takes place fi rst large-scale nighttime demonstrations become Simms Field, and the Newman, Ron Clark, at Balloon Fiesta. More balloon display (“balloon part of Balloon Fiesta. Balloon Fiesta moves Rocky Aoki complet than 10 years later, Dawn glow”) documented Teams participating in north to Cutter Field (the fi rst manned tr Patrol becomes an offi cial in the world is held in various years include the current Vista del Norte balloon fl ight abo part of the event. Albuquerque’s Country Navy Leapfrogs, Army housing development.) Double Eagle V Club area in conjunction Golden Knights, the Misty The fi rst air shows are with the annual Luminaria Blues (an all-female held as post-morning- Tour. team), and most recently, fl ight events. Team Fastrax. 1882 1909 1972