Hot air balloons lift off in New Mexico as festival wraps up

STORY: Giant balloons in the shape of a cow, ladybug and mouse were among those that took off on Sunday.

The International Fiesta is a yearly nine-day festival that takes place during the first week of October.

Over 600 hot air balloons and 700 pilots participate each year.

The festival was created in 1972 with only 13 balloons. Today, it is the largest balloon event worldwide.