30 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2022 Media Guide [CONTINUED] 2000 set the balloon launch record, with the largest number of balloons attending in the history of the Balloon Fiesta. Helicopters from the TV stations helped out by drying the field so the Special Shape Glowdeo could happen. 2001 opened the Balloon Discovery Center, the Balloon Fiesta was limited to 750 balloons, the blackjack race was started and grass was added to the rest of the launch field. 2002 raised the cost of admission and parking to $5. 2003 was the year that the Balloon Fiesta created the Gondola Club, and started the Fiesta del Vino. 2004 was the first year of the Fiesta Challenge, and it was the last year for the New Mexico Challenge. The Balloon Fiesta also included a salute to veterans. 2005 marked the 49th Gordon Bennett Gas Race and the third time it was hosted in Albuquerque, included Bunnies and Balloons for Easter and was the first year for the Albuquerque Aloft program at local elementary schools. 2006 was the first year for the Balloon Fiesta brick program and the chainsaw carving contest. 2007 was the year for $1 admission for Albuquerque Residents on the first Saturday. It was also the beginning of the Twilight Twinkle Glow and was Fiesta del Vino’s last year. There was a record number of attendees that year. 2008 had the 52nd Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett, performance from Josh Gracin, and expanded Park and Ride. 2009 included the beginning of the Chasers’ Club and Patron and Crew Chief memberships were established. America’s Challenge Gas Race canceled due to weather after inflation had been completed—there was a lot of helium and hydrogen used without flying anywhere. 2010 was the first year for the popular Bike Valet was made available for Balloon Fiesta guests. 2011 was dedicated to the “Father of Fiesta” Sid Cutter and was the year that the Balloon Fiesta received a Guinness World Record for the Greatest Mass Hot Air Balloon Ascent. 2012 was New Mexico’s centennial and the first year that hydrogen was used exclusively to provide lift to the teams participating in the America’s Challenge Balloon Race. 2013 was the year of the first Music Fiesta, featuring country music superstar Darius Rucker. BALLOON FIESTA HISTORY 50 YEARS OF BALLOON FIESTA HISTORY