Every autumn we are greeted with three things here in the Land of Enchantment—the aroma of roasting green chile, the deep-fried spectacle of the State Fair and the early morning sky filled with breathtaking globes of color, launched from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. From Oct. 2 through 10, hundreds of hot-air balloons will take flight over the Duke City at the world’s largest ballooning festival. This schedule will keep you as occupied and cheerful as the skies above Albuquerque. Getting There and Getting In Balloon Fiesta Park is off Alameda, one mile west of I-25, at 5000 Balloon Fiesta Parkway NE. Admission to the 2010 Balloon Fiesta is $6 for anyone over the age of 12. Kids under 12 can enjoy the balloons for free. On-site parking is $10. Park & Ride tickets—which include shuttle service to the grounds and admission to the fiesta—are available in advance online ($10 per adult, $5 per child aged 6 to 12, free ride and admission for younger children) or day-of (tack on $5 for each adult). There will be no Rail Runner service to the Balloon Fiesta this year.To obtain information on everything from Park & Ride tickets and locations to when "Smokey" is going up, call 821-1000 (the area code for Albuquerque and Santa Fe is 505), toll free at (888) 422-7277, or visit balloonfiesta.com. Saturday, Oct. 2 5:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow6:45 a.m. Opening Ceremonies7 a.m. Mass Ascension8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Echo Series Chain Saw Carving Championship 5:45 p.m. Twilight Twinkle Glow8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show Sunday, Oct. 3 5:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show 6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow6:45 a.m. Mass Ascension8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Echo Series Chain Saw Carving Championship 9 a.m. Fiesta of Wheels Car Show11 a.m. Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Balloon Discovery Center)5 p.m. Echo Series Chain Saw Carving Championship Auction and Raffle5:45 p.m. Balloon Glow 8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show Monday, Oct. 4 (No Park & Ride service)5:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol 7 a.m. Flying Competition: Balloon Fiesta Hold’em Tuesday, Oct. 5 (No Park & Ride service)5:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol 7 a.m. Flying Competition: Balloon Fiesta Hold’em2 p.m. American’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race Inflation6 p.m. America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race Launch Wednesday, Oct. 6 (No Park & Ride service)5:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show 6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow6:45 a.m. Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension7 a.m. Flying Competition Thursday, Oct. 7 5:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol6:45 a.m. Special Shapes Rodeo7 a.m. Flying Competition: Prize GrabNoon to 8 p.m. Echo Regional Chain Saw Carving Championship5:45 p.m. Special Shape Glowdeo8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show Friday, Oct. 8 5:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol6:45 a.m. Special Shapes Rodeo 7 a.m. Key Grab Competition 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ECHO Regional Chain Saw Carving Championship5:45 p.m. Special Shape Glowdeo8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show Saturday, Oct. 9 5 :45 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show 6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow7 a.m. Mass Ascension8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ECHO Regional Chain Saw Carving Championship5 p.m. ECHO Series Chain Saw Carving Championship Auction and Raffle5:45 p.m. Night Magic Glow8 p.m. AfterGlow Fireworks Show Sunday, Oct. 10 5:45 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show 6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow 7 a.m. Farewell Mass Ascension
Balloon Fiesta 2010 Schedule
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