We are considering taking the kids this October.

Anyone ever been that can offer some insight?

Other than the balloons is there stuff there around that time that would keep a 4 year old from being miserable?

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Posted by r3lay3r

EBR

Member since Oct 2016

1816 posts

Posted on 6/10/21 at 2:16 pm to Displaced

I've been, but it's been 30 years ago. Flew into Albuquerque on the Saturday of the last weekend of the festival. Got there around midday, went to the festival and stayed through evening lift-off. Up early Sunday for the last lift-off, mass ascension, with like 700 balloons. All the character and odd shape balloons!

Spend most of the next two weeks touring around New Mexico. Returned to Albuquerque on Saturday evening and got up early Sunday for a pre-booked balloon flight with champaign breakfast. Flew home that afternoon. Remember that Sunday morning finding out that Edwin Edwards & David Duke were 1-2 in the primary election on Saturday. Vote for the crook!

No idea what's around to keep a 4 year old occupied. I don't remember there being much in Albuquerque other than the balloon festival. A mission or two.

This post was edited on 6/10/21 at 2:20 pm

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Posted by Pettifogger

Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone

Member since Feb 2012

79179 posts

Posted on 6/10/21 at 2:53 pm to Displaced

There is a guy who always gives advice on Santa Fe that can probably help you.

I know (from trips to Santa Fe and failed efforts to combine the two) that stuff books up way ahead of time so you'll want to get an early start if you haven't.

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Posted by Aubie Spr96

lolwut?

Member since Dec 2009

41103 posts

Posted on 6/10/21 at 4:17 pm to Displaced

Following. Always wanted to do this and the Hatch festival.

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Posted by goldennugget

Hating Masks

Member since Jul 2013

24514 posts

Posted on 6/10/21 at 8:33 pm to Displaced

I used to when I was younger as my mom's brother lives in Albuquerque and we went a couple times when visitng. I didn't really enjoy it as a kid. Not sure if its a kid friendly event. Plus it was cold. It's like a fair with balloons - you will have your vendors, face painters, clowns making balloon animals, etc. but its dependent on weather and how much your kid just likes to do basic fair activities.

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Posted by Odinson

Asgard

Member since Apr 2014

2752 posts

Posted on 6/10/21 at 8:41 pm to Displaced

Can you actually ride on one of the balloons?

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Posted by r3lay3r

EBR

Member since Oct 2016

1816 posts

Posted on 6/10/21 at 9:06 pm to Odinson

Depends. Just like when Baton Rouge hosted the national balloon competitions. When they are competing, you can find opportunities to volunteer on the chase crews, but you won't get into the balloons. On the evenings when they have mass ascensions, there might be spaces available in the gondolas. But the problem is finding a space and you'll be competing with some who have worked on the chase crews and they'll likely have the inside tract. That's why we booked a ride after the festival.

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