Imagine, gathering on an open plain that would house 54 football fields, there's the smell of roasting chilies at 4:30 AM. 365 acres with over 750 balloons, and you are able to walk among them, talking with the pilots and being a spectator or helping the balloons fill as the burners are ignited, giving acres of balloons their spectacular illumination, prior the sunrise launch.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival happens just like this every October and has so since 1972.

We were placed with The Hendricks Gin Balloon as our pilot to photograph the event. It's a unique experience to direct a balloon pilot to take you where you see the angle that you're looking for. The balloons are very maneuverable and catch the wind currents at various altitudes allowing precision positioning when you have an experienced pilot to work with.

It is the largest ballooning event on earth and the largest annual international event held in the United States.

 It's a spectacular moment in life and one of those bucket list things that should be experienced. I guarantee that I'll be back next year.

Contact us if you might like any information about the event, tickets, places to stay and who to fly with. Enjoy!

KB