7-8 a.m. • Wells Fargo Special Shape Mass Ascension
Special shape balloons are defined as any balloon that doesn't conform strictly to the normal rounded balloon shape. Some shapes are simple—pointed ears and whiskers added to a “regular” balloon to make it into a kitty's head. Others—flying houses, cars, cacti, ristras, bottles, cans, critters and so on—are computer-designed engineering marvels costing marvelous amounts of money. The first shapes appeared at Balloon Fiesta in the '70s, and became increasingly common—and crowd favorites—in the '80s. In 1989, the Balloon Fiesta created the Special Shapes Rodeo to showcase these incredible creations. The special shapes events now include mass ascensions on the Thursday and Friday mornings of Balloon Fiesta, and the “Glowdeo”—a shapes-only glow—on Thursday and Friday evenings.
8-10 a.m. • Flying Events
5:45-8 p.m. • Wells Fargo Special Shape Glowdeo™
8-9 p.m. • AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show presented by the Albuquerque Journal
Schedule information compiled by Michael Henningsen
