Going to Balloon Fiesta? Here's a survival guide

Adrian Gomez, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·3 min read
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Oct. 3—DATES

Saturday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 15

ADMISSION

$15 per session, children 12 and under free. Online at balloonfiesta.com for a service fee of $1.50 per ticket. One session is all morning activities or all evening activities.

ARRIVAL AND PARKING

The park is located in north Albuquerque, west of Interstate 25, and about 12 miles north of the Albuquerque International Sunport via I-25. Visitors are advised to retain their tickets for readmission in case a session is canceled. Refunds are not given. Parking is $20 each session, cash only.

BIKE VALET

Free with the price of admission from 4-11 a.m. mornings, and 3-9 p.m. for evening events. Take the trail that runs along the AMAFCA North Diversion Channel, crosses underneath Paseo del Norte and Alameda Boulevard, and ends just north of the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Remember, it is dark in the morning when arriving and dark at night after leaving, so be sure to have proper bicycle illumination.

HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY

Handicap parking is available close to the entrance gates for the regular $20 parking fee. There are also a limited number of mobility scooters and wheelchairs available for on-site rental near the north and south information booths.

WHEN TO GO

Arrive early. On weekends, it is recommended to park by 5 a.m. for morning events, and by 4 p.m. for evening events.

PETS

No pets except ADA service dogs wearing a vest.

SMOKING

Not permitted anywhere on the launch field.

WHAT TO WEAR

Layering your clothing is advisable, because in the morning's dark and early hours it can be quite cold. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended.

NECESSITIES

Portable restrooms are located throughout the park, near most of the entrance gates. Also, more than 250 portable restrooms are located at the north, west and east ends, and throughout the field. Four breastfeeding/baby changing stations also available.

ABOUT THE TRAFFIC

There are about 10,000 parking spaces in parking lots immediately adjacent to Balloon Fiesta Park. On weekend mornings, when mass ascensions are held, motorists coming from the West Side should enter Balloon Fiesta Park via Alameda Boulevard, which will be one way east only from Second Street to Balloon Museum Drive. Westbound traffic coming from the East Side will be funneled from the I-25 Frontage Roads and directed to San Mateo Boulevard heading north to Balloon Fiesta Parkway and the northern end of the balloon field. Eastbound traffic may also enter via Tramway and Alameda boulevards.

PARK & RIDE

Park & Ride tickets must be purchased online at balloonfiesta.com/park-ride. Bus service will operate Friday-Sunday, but not Monday-Thursday.

HOURS: Morning events, buses leave for the park between 4:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. Return trips are 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Evening events, buses leave 3:30-6:30 p.m. Return trips are 7-10 p.m.

LOT LOCATIONS

Intel, 1600 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE (weekends only)

Coronado Mall, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, southwest corner near San Pedro Drive

Hoffmantown Church, 8888 Harper Road NE, northeast lot

Cottonwood Mall, 10000 Coors Bypass NW, northeast lot

— By Adrian Gomez/ Journal Arts Editor