S S S S BALLOON FIE TA FREQUENTLY A KED QUE TION WHAT DO CHASE CREWS DO? A chase crew helps the pilot inflate and deflate his/her balloon for each flight. If you are interested in being on a chase crew, you can register online at www.balloonfiesta.com/Crew-Registration (starting July 15). On-site crew registration is 5:30 - 7:30am and 4:30 - 6:30pm daily at the Crew Corral located just north of the Sid Cutter Pilots’ Pavillion. WHAT IS DAWN PATROL? Dawn Patrol occurs every morning weather permitting. The sponsored Dawn Patrol Show occurs on Mass Ascension days. The Dawn Patrol consists of a group of selected balloons that launch prior to sunrise every morning. WHAT IS MASS ASCENSION? Our most popular event, the Mass Ascension is when all 500+ balloons launch from Balloon Fiesta Park during the same time frame. It usually takes less than two hours for all 500+ balloons to launch. Mass Ascension is scheduled on weekend mornings and Wednesday morning. On other days during Balloon Fiesta all balloons are allowed to fly, the difference is half of the balloons will launch at the park and fly away and the others will launch away from the park and fly into the park, most of these balloons will be in various competitions. ™ WHAT IS ALBUQUERQUE ALOFT ? On the Friday before Balloon Fiesta starts, registered pilots of Balloon Fiesta launch from designated elementary schools throughout Albuquerque and Rio Rancho as community flights. I SEE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BALLOON GLOWS, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Each Glow is a static display of the balloons after sunset in which their burners illuminate them. The Balloon Glow is the original and largest of this type of event and occurs on the first Sunday night. The Twilight Twinkle Glow™ occurs on the first Saturday night, the Night Magic Glow™ occurs on the second Saturday night while the AfterGlow™ after each glow involves a fireworks show. For evening events, bring a flashlight. Also, take note of where you have parked your car — it may be more difficult to find in the dark. Download the Balloon Fiesta App to use the Find My Car feature to pin your car’s location. ™ ™ WHAT IS THE SPECIAL SHAPE RODEO /GLOWDEO ? Due to their whimsical quality, some of the favorite events at Balloon Fiesta are the Special Shape balloon events, which are showcased on Thursday and Friday mornings and evenings. The Special Shape Rodeo™ is the morning flying event, followed by the Special Shape Glowdeo™ in the evening. A Glowdeo is a static display of the special shape balloons in which their burners illuminate them. The special shape balloons have included a stagecoach, larger than life animals and space creatures. WHAT IS FLIGHT OF THE NATIONS? This event honors of the countries represented at Balloon Fiesta with up to two balloons per country displaying their nation’s flag. The Flight of the Nations occurs on the Wednesday prior to Mass Ascension after the “Sponsor of the Day” balloon launches. WHAT COMPETITIONS HAPPEN AT BALLOON FIESTA? Competitions for pilots include the Ring Toss, Balloon Fiesta Golf, Multiple Judge-declared Goal, Fly-in Task and Minimum Double Drop. All competitions are based on flying accuracy rather than speed. WHERE CAN I PURCHASE OFFICIAL BALLOON FIESTA SOUVENIRS? Souvenirs may be purchased at the Park in the official Balloon Fiesta Souvenir tents, online at www.balloonfiestastuff.com or at Balloon Fiesta’s gift shop at 4401 Alameda Blvd. NE year-round.