ALBUQUERQUE — From infant to seasoned pilot, Corrales firefighter John Pata is celebrating two milestones at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta this year.
Not only is it his 25th year as a pilot, it also also the 50th year he has attended.
“I came to my first Balloon Fiesta when I was 6 months old, and I’ve not missed a Balloon Fiesta since,” he said from the field Tuesday morning before launching…