S S WHAT I THE ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIE TA? Any local will tell you October is the most beautiful time of year in New Mexico, made so in large part by the much anticipated sight of colorful balloons punctuating the skyline. During this season, the sky is bluer, the days are gentler, and the mornings crisper -- almost as though the landscape has taken a deep sigh -- and on the desert’s warm breath sails the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. For half a century, this age-old form of flight, which has captured the human imagination for hundreds of years, is celebrated in a 9-day event that draws the devout, the curious and the novice balloonists to the world-famous Balloon Fiesta Park. Sid Cutter, who passed away in 2011, is recognized and honored as the father of hot air ballooning in Albuquerque. Sid was responsible for organizing the first three balloon “fiestas” in Albuquerque and continued to make major contributions to the event. Balloon Fiesta Park’s launch field alone is comparable to the size of 54 football fields. This 60+ acre area is necessary to accommodate the 500+ balloons that launch during the event. The total expanse of the Park is a whopping 365 acres, custom designed to facilitate the largest ballooning event on earth. Since its humble inception at a shopping mall parking lot in 1972, with a total of 13 balloons, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown into the most photographed event in the world.