PHO T O: BILL W AL T ON FL YNT Above: The 1974 Balloon Fiesta today (quality over quantity), because as Albuquerque Opposite: Sid Cutter statue grew, and there was more construction on previously vacant real estate, there were fewer landing sites available. The Balloon Fiesta has grown in more than Sid Cutter produced and ran the first three Balloon size, as new events were added featuring balloons Fiestas before handing the reins to a citizen’s committee in different ways. There are special shapes, evening which eventually evolved into the non-profit Albuquerque balloon glows, dawn patrol, a variety of competitions, International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. However, he and his and even a long-distance gas balloon race. Guests enjoy new business, World Balloon Championships (which Main Street shopping, New Mexico cuisine, a variety of became World Balloon Corporation), remained actively demonstrations and events, and entertainment including involved in the event. Sid served on the Balloon Fiesta Music Fiesta, an outdoor concert featuring the hottest Board of Directors, was for a time the official ride new country acts. concessionaire, and flew himself through the 2010 So, grab your wife, kids, camera and wallet, come Balloon Fiesta, the last one before his death. spectate, take a ride, buy some souvenirs and great Meanwhile, the event continued to grow, and in food, and join us in taking some of the estimated 25 2000, the “1000 in 2000” year, was the largest-ever million photographs taken annually at the Albuquerque gathering and launching of balloons. Post-2000 the International Balloon Fiesta! Come enjoy Sid Cutter’s number of entries was slowly reduced to the 600 seen vision and legacy. OFFICIAL PROGRAM 41