CELEBRATING 50 YEARS Balloon Faces of Balloon Fiesta By Tom McConnell Thousands of hot air balloons have fl own in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® over the years, all beautiful, many unique and creative. But through the years, some became especial- ly identifi ed with the event, as Balloon Fiesta historian Tom McConnell recounts YNT WN WN ON FL ONNELL O O T AL BR BR W McC OM O: DICK O: DICK O: BILL O: T T T T T PHO PHO PHO PHO The fi rst balloon Sid Betsy Ross was taken to Roadrunner II ( 1979R) Also in mid-1973, another and Bill Cutter owned Phoenix by Bill Cutter in was the next balloon Sid iconic balloon appeared. was Betsy Ross, 1951R, the summer or fall of 1971, purchased (which we early This was Zia, patterned (later called Union Gas so Sid needed another balloonists called The Big after the New Mexico state by Maxie Anderson balloon. This became One or Sid’s 105). This fl ag, a balloon owned and and Ben Abruzzo, who Roadrunner I (1954R) Raven Industries balloon fl own by two students purchased it from Cutter and was the central became the next face of of Sid Cutter from the Aviation in 1972) which training balloon for the Balloon Fiesta. On the AAAA, Don Barz and Tom was purchased from Albuquerque Aerostat throat of the balloon Sid McConnell Raven Industries in April Ascension Association had written “Albuquerque 1971 for a party to be held (AAAA), the balloon International Coyote- in the Cutter Aviation club Sid created in 1972. Roadrunner Balloon hangar in Albuquerque. Roadrunner I became the Fiesta.” This was the 1973 This was a birthday party face of AAAA. Balloon Fiesta (the second for Sid and Bill’s Mom Balloon Fiesta, which Virginia Cutter, and also to thereafter was called the celebrate 42 years in the Albuquerque International aviation business. Betsy Balloon Fiesta) and First Ross became the fi gure- World Hot-Air Balloon head balloon for what Championship race. later would be called the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. ® 174 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta