It’s the largest North American event of its kind, and more than 25 million photos are shot each year, making it as the most photographed event in the world, according to Kodak.
Yet many UNM students have mixed feelings about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Some said it’s a crowded, expensive hassle which they plan to view from their rooftops, but others are still enthusiastic about waking to the balloon-blotted morning skyline.
Count student Kyra Roybal among those absent from the event.
“Getting up to see all the designs used to be my favorite thing about the balloon fiesta, but I don’t like getting up that early anymore,” she said.
But to student Desiree Sandoval the balloon fiesta is a fall tradition as important as roasting green chile.
“I know some people who really like to go and make it a point to go every year. They are proud of the balloon fiesta,” she said.
Weather permitting, mass ascension, where hundreds of balloons fill the sky, takes place at approximately 7:15 a.m., according to the balloon fiesta website.
Student Claire Pestak said the event is geared toward children.
“I’ve been there, done that. Maybe if you have kids, you might go a second or third time, so they can see the balloons, but I don’t have kids,” she said.
Janie Palacio, an Albuquerque resident, said she took her kids to the event because they enjoy the special shapes balloons.
“My 6-year-old couldn’t get enough of the SpongeBob SquarePants balloon. We took almost 20 pictures in front of that balloon,” she said.
Even student Evelyn Killsback, a Albuquerque transplant who have never been to the balloon fiesta, said the early-morning trek isn’t worth the investment.
“The biggest issues for me are parking, traffic and time,” said Killsback, an Albuquerque resident for three years. “I don’t know much about balloons to feel obligated to wake up that early, especially when I can see them from my house.”
Student Keely Holzer said friends who have gone to the event discouraged her from attending.
She said some of her friends were forced to go with their parents growing up, and they resented being dragged out of bed and into the cold morning, all in the name of family bonding and tradition.
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“I’m not from here, but I asked my friends who are and most people say it’s really not worth getting up so early,” Holzer said. “Most people told me I should only go once. I’m able to see them from my house. The first time I saw them I was like, ‘Oh my god. The sky is filled with balloons.”
Even if the balloon fiesta is solely a tourist attraction, Sandoval said she still plans to attend a popular evening event.
“My favorite part is the balloon glow, where they light up the balloons when it gets dark,” she said.
