ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – This year is the 52nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, several days that are known for their early mornings, delicious food, and, of course, beautiful balloons. But what was the fiesta like years ago? A look back at News 13’s video archives offers a peak into the Duke City’s balloon festival through the decades.
The 1986 lineup for the 15th annual Balloon Fiesta featured many of the events that are still fan favorites today: the Splash and Dash into the Rio Grande, the Gas Balloon Race, and mass ascensions. But footage from the mid-1980s highlights some of the differences between the fiesta years ago and the events today.
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While the brightly-colored balloons and large crowds were the same, the field looked very different in the 80s. 1986 and 1987 footage shows a large, mostly dirt lot, but the park has since undergone improvements, with the addition of grass and paved roadways for cars, attendees, and vendors.