Feature

2008 Balloon Fiesta Schedule

All events take place at Balloon Fiesta Park unless stated otherwise.

Friday, Oct. 3

7-8 a.m. Albuquerque Aloft (at Albuquerque and Rio Rancho elementary schools)

Saturday, Oct. 4

5:45-6:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol
6:45-7:45 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
7-8 a.m. Mass Ascension
8 a.m.-6 p.m. ECHO Series Chain Saw Carving Championship (north end of launch field)
2-6 p.m. 52nd Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race Inflation
2-6 p.m. America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race Inflation
6-7 p.m. 52nd Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race Launch
6-7 p.m. America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race Launch
6-7:30 p.m. Twilight Twinkle Glow™
8-9 p.m. AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show*
8 p.m. Josh Gracin performs

Sunday, Oct. 5

5:45-7:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol
7-8 a.m. Mass Ascension
8 a.m.-4 p.m. ECHO Series Chain Saw Carving Championship (north end of launch field)
9-10 a.m. Fiesta of Wheels Car Show
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Balloon Discovery Center)
5-6 p.m. ECHO Chain Saw Carving Championship Awards and Charity Auction
5:45-7:30 p.m. Balloon Glow
8-9 p.m. AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show*

Monday, Oct. 6

5:45-6:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol
7-8 a.m. Flying Competition: Balloon Fiesta Hold'em

Tuesday, Oct. 7

5:45-6:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol
7-8 a.m. Flying Competition: Balloon Fiesta Hold'em

Wednesday, Oct. 8

5:45-6:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol
7-8 a.m. Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension and Flying Competition

Thursday, Oct. 9

5:45-6:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol
7-8 a.m. Wells Fargo Special Shape Rodeo™
8-9 a.m. Flying Competition and Prize Grab
4-6 p.m. Chain Saw Wood Carving Contest (north end of launch field)
5:45-7:30 p.m. Wells Fargo Special Shape Glowdeo™
8-9 p.m. AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show*
8 p.m. The Coasters perform

Friday, Oct. 10

5:45-6:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol
7-8 a.m. Wells Fargo Special Shape Rodeo™
8-9 a.m. Honda Key Grab Competition
8 a.m.-6 p.m. Chain Saw Wood Carving Contest (north end of launch field)
5:45-7:30 p.m. Wells Fargo Special Shape Glowdeo™
8-9 p.m. AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show*

Saturday, Oct. 11

5:45-6:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol
7-8 a.m. Mass Ascension
8 a.m.-6 p.m. Chain Saw Wood Carving Contest (north end of launch field)
5:45-7:30 p.m. Night Magic™ Glow
6-7 p.m. Chain Saw Carvers Auction (north end of launch field)
8-9 p.m. AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show*

Sunday, Oct. 12

5:45-6:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show
7-8 a.m. Farewell Mass Ascension

By Compiled by Adam Fox

Tickets: Tickets for the 2008 Balloon Fiesta are $6 for people 12-and-over. Children 12-and-under are free. Parking is $10 per car.

Advance admission tickets are available in packs of five for $25 (plus $1 for shipping). Call (888) 422-7277 ext. 303 for more information.

Park-and-Ride: Park-and-Ride locations are available all over the city. Fares are $10.50 for adults, $5.50 for children 12-and-under, and include admission to Balloon Fiesta Park. Please call the Balloon Fiesta corporate office at 821-1000 or (888) 422-7277 for pickup times and locations.