ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
A giant Elvis, an ice cream cone and a child in a wheelchair are among the new shapes set to take to the sky at an annual hot-air balloon festival in New Mexico that’s expected to draw more than 700,000 visitors from around the globe.
The 41st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began Saturday with the launch of hundreds of hot-air balloons.
Fiesta officials hope for better weather at this year’s nine-day affair after wind and rains sidelined balloons for a few events last year, cutting attendance by around 100,000 visitors.
Still, organizers last year were able to break a world record by sending up 345 balloons at one time.
“There were some things we just couldn’t control,” director Don Edwards said. “But we still tried to put on a good show.”
Officials aren’t planning to break any records this year, but more than 550 pilots have signed up to fly balloons at the fiesta, Edwards said. That’s slightly higher than in most years, he said..
Last year, the event drew slightly more than 700,000 spectators. That was down from 800,000 visitors from 2010, officials said.
The forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies in the area Saturday and Sunday, with winds up to 12 mph.
Winds faster than 11.5 mph, less than three miles visibility and clouds below 1,500 feet would postpone or cancel any launch of balloons. However, winds vary near the Fiesta Park launch site because some are blocked by the Sandia Mountains. Officials determine whether balloons can be launched by measuring wind speeds at the site.
Making its first appearance at the event this year is the Spain-made “Shining Star” balloon, which is shaped like a child sitting in a wheelchair reaching for a star. Other balloons set to make their fiesta debuts include “Simba the Lion,” “Cosmo the Astronaut” and “Little Fireman,” a balloon shaped like a fire helmet.
Officials said this year’s event will have more activities for the balloon pilots, with chances of winning a horseback-riding trip in New Mexico’s Sandia Mountains or a whitewater rafting trip on the Rio Grande.
——
Online:
———
Follow Russell Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras
State, national, world
Related Photos
-
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, the largest international ballooning event in the world, kicked off Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with 19 participating countries and over 530 registered pilots. (PRNewsFoto/Bank of the West)
Related Links
Discussion
Elvis among new balloon shapes at New Mexico event
- State, national, world
-
-
Lawyer: Feds investigating Susan Powell case
Newly released police records show that Utah officials believe Josh Powell likely killed his wife in late 2009, and that his brother, Michael Powell, helped dispose of the body, but authorities felt they didn't have enough evidence to prove that theory in court.
-
Singer Kellie Pickler named new 'Dancing' champ
Teen Disney Channel star Zendaya came in second place. Football pro Jacoby Jones finished third. Fellow finalist Alexandra Raisman was axed at the beginning of Tuesday's episode.
-
Arias tells jury what she'll do if allowed to live
Jodi Arias asked jurors Tuesday to give her life in prison, arguing she "lacked perspective" when she told a local reporter in an interview after she was convicted of murder that she preferred execution to spending the rest of her days in jail.
-
Should we let wunderkinds drop out of high school?
When is it OK for a wunderkind to drop out of school?
-
More tornadoes from global warming? Nobody knows
Some scientists theorize that the jet stream is changing because sea ice in the Arctic is shrinking. And the jet stream pattern drives weather in the Northern Hemisphere.
-
The Big One: Preparing for mid-America quakes
- NEW: Tornado hits OKC suburb, kicking up debris
- Assad: Syria transition talks are internal matter
- IRS probe ignored most influential groups
- Obama agenda marches on despite controversies
- More State, national, world Headlines
-
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye
Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download
IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
