39 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2022 Media Guide 2022 NEWS RELEASE SUMMARIES ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA® CELEBRATES 50TH EVENT World’s Largest Ballooning Event Takes to Skies October 1-9 The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta celebrates its 50th event with 600 hot air balloons representing 22 countries. The 50th event will occur October 1-9, 2022 at Balloon Fiesta Park, in Albuquerque, NM. Key dates, events and facts: • Opening day at Balloon Fiesta Park will kick off with the Opening Ceremonies, beginning at 6:45 a.m. on October 1, 2022. • Hot air ballooning competitive flying takes place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with pilots competing to win prizes. • Flight of the Nations, held Wednesday, October 6 in advance of the mid- week mass ascension, will honor countries participating in the 50th event. This year, there are 22 countries represented in the 2022 Balloon Fiesta. • Special shapes 118 amazing special shapes will be flying at Balloon Fiesta this year, 19 shapes will make their inaugural appearance. Special Shape balloons will take to the skies for their own mass ascension and balloons glows on Thursday and Friday at Balloon Fiesta Park. • 648 primary pilots have registered to fly in this year’s Balloon Fiesta, many of them bring more than one balloon.