THE 1970s: 1972-1979 11979722 he Balloon Fiesta that started it all came The pin shown here is of the Cutters’ personal together in an astonishing ten days. Sid balloon, Betsy Ross. There was a program Cutter, asked by KOB Radio if he’d bring – an eight-page publication listing the his balloon to their 50th anniversary participants scheduled to be there, describing celebration, recruited 21 pilots from the “Roadrunner/Coyote” race, and thanking Taround the country in the hopes of the sponsors. The program also included an holding the biggest ballooning event ever staged up article describing Sid’s hopes for an “annual until that time. Thirteen of the balloons actually made it event, the culmination of to Albuquerque, and thousands of people turned out to a week of activities . . . a see the show. The articles on pages 36, 52 and 62 tell Festival to end all Festivals.” Festival to end all Festivals.” the full story. The writer didn’t call it a Given that Sid, the local balloon club, KOB, and “Fiesta,” but got the rest of “Fiesta,” but got the rest of Albuquerque had only ten days to organize the event, it just about right. What a there was no time to really produce any memorabilia fl ight it’s been! Come – no pins, no patches, no bumper stickers (the ’72 along for the ride! aaalllooonnnggg fffooorrr ttthhheee rrriiidddeee!!! event is the only one to not have a bumper sticker). ® 34 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta