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Friday, November 17, 2017

46th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Wrap-up, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA



Recently I published a series of posts about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (at this link). The final summary numbers and facts from the event are now in and included below. I have also re-published some of my favorite images from the event. Enjoy! (Click on an image to view a higher resolution version if your device supports that action).



Event Theme: Inflate your Imagination



Final Numbers: Following are the official numbers for the 46th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta held October 7-15, 2017.

Total number of registered regular shape balloons: 571

Total number of registered special shape balloons: 93

Total number of registered gas balloons: 8

Total number of registered primary pilots: 557

Total number of estimated spectator visits: 887,970*

Total number of media organizations: 216

Total number of registered media representatives: 978



Total numbers of countries represented (21): Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States.



Event Sessions: Weather was mostly agreeable, with 12 of the 14 ballooning events taking place. Due to poor weather conditions, the evening session on Oct. 14 was cancelled, as was the Farewell Mass Ascension on the morning of Oct. 15.



Balloon Competition Winners: The first prize in the hot air overall competition was awarded to Maurice Petrehn, of Kansas. Second overall highest ranking score went to Nick Donner of Kentucky and third to Rhett Heartsill of Texas.



Switzerland’s Nicolas Tièche and Laurent Sciboz won the 22nd America’s Challenge, establishing a new distance record for the gas balloon race.



























Additional information about the 2017 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta can be found at www.balloonfiesta.com.

The 2018 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will be held October 6 -14. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend this fantastic event!


2 comments:

  1. The Albuquerque Balloon Festival is on OUR LIST! In the meantime, thanks for taking me there. Just makes me want to see it more!

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    Replies
    1. Lynn, Thanks for your comment. It was an extraordinary spectacle!

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