29 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2022 Media Guide 1986 presented a tremendous weather surprise—it snowed on the last day. That didn’t stop the festivities though—there was a picnic at Spanish Village on the state fairgrounds, and the Otto the Airshow Helicopter performance. 1987 started an event which is now one of the biggest events at the Balloon Fiesta—the Balloon Glow, which was started to commemorate 75 years of statehood. The Balloon Glow was joined by the Misty Blues All Female Sky Divers, the Leapfrogs, picnics, Mass Ascensions and parades. 1988 was the last year of the Balloon Fiesta gas race. The Balloon Fiesta also brought in the Oktoberfest at Civic Plaza and the dance and BBQ at the Sundance Saloon. It was also the first year that featured a commemorative coin. 1989 started another tradition—the Special Shape Rodeo. The Air Show, the International Mariachi Fiesta, and the first Dawn Patrol were also celebrated that year. 1990 had pop stars Three Dog Night perform, a special shapes event as well as including the US Navy parachute team and the Enchantment Sky Divers. 1991 was the 20th Balloon Fiesta, and included all of the established traditions—sky diving, bands, dawn patrol, a parade, and the Special Shape Rodeo. 1992 saw the first special shape balloon based on the “Simpson” characters, and included large scale fireworks. KODAK became the official title sponsor. 1993 hosted the 37 th Gordon Bennett Gas Race, and started the first midweek Mass Ascension as well as the Manfred Radius Gilder Show. 1994 Included the 8th World Gas Balloon Championships and the special shape mass ascension. 1995 was the First America’s Challenge Race, and included the Leapfrogs, Mass Ascensions and glows. 1996 added the first Dawn Patrol Show, Sivage Thomas “house grab” and new flying events. 1997 started the Flight of Nations, the Cool Cut Showcopters, Fiesta Stand Up Parachute Accuracy Open, Sky Dive New Mexico-State Parachute Accuracy Championships and the USAF Pararescue School Demo Team. 1998 was the year that special shape balloons had grown to be so popular that they were the only balloons to launch from the field on Thursday and Friday mornings and glow on the same evenings. 1999 was the second year the Balloon Fiesta hosted the Gordon Bennet Cup, and included the American Flyer Powered Parachutes Demo, and the kite expo. BALLOON FIESTA HISTORY 50 YEARS OF BALLOON FIESTA HISTORY [CONTINUED]