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New Mexico Balloon Fiesta
Has anyone attended the Ballon Fiesta in Albuqurque? Did you stay in one of the campgrounds on site or in a nearby RV park? We are thinking about going next year. Any information is greatly appreciated!
June
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8 Replies
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Sign up with a large tour group, It is well worth it as you will be right on the grounds and where the action is.
You can stay off site, but it is a pain. We stayed off site and friends were on site, I know.
For things to do around the area, ride the train to Santa Fe, stay for the day, taking a tour for the highlights and walk to the artists shops and botique restaurants after that.
Go to the Casino up on the mountain, can’t remember the name. Easy to find.
Caution when leaving and getting there, hoodlums (possibly Indians) are known to shoot at your toad or trailer on the interstate.
Don’t waste your time going into downtown Albuquerque.
JIM
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Check out the Unser Museum:
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Hi,
Check out the latest few posts on the ‘wheelin it’ blog (wheelinit.us) Nina, the author has done a very informative write up on their recent visit and the planning that went into it.
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I will let you in on a secret but do not tell anyone……. Stay at the Sandia casino with the other rv’s. Located about 1 mile from balloon field. I ride my Segway to field but you could ride bike or long walk. Casino has blacktop parking vs dirt or gravel at festivel. Dry camp vs electric hookup at festivel. Plenty of room around you vs packed in like sardines at festivel. Free vs ? At festivel.
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All good ideas!
We have been following Wheelingit, but did not know if there is a Prevost group at the Fiesta like the groups from Escapees (Boomers and Escapers). It appears that it is boondocking (even with 30 amp service) no matter where we decide to park, it is just a matter of deciding how far away we want to be and what services are available (the event does provide water and pumping services at your coach, $25 for each service per occurance).
It is good to have options for those days that the balloons are not flying or between events. Not sure about the entertainment on the way in (getting shot at). Should we mount a 50 cal to the roof and I can ride shotgun while Donald drives?
June
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I took my family on a 3 week road trip, and part of the trip was to spend a week at the balloon festival. It was the best family excursion we ever have had. My children whose were teenagers then, and now adults, still talk about it all the time. Yes you can stay at local rv parks nearby, but it is more enjoyable to stay onsite. We normally got up around 4:30-5:00 am to start watching the balloons launch. It is Impressive, and it is a must do experience. Our routine each day was to get up early with fresh made hot chocolate, lay in bed for a while and watch the balloons launch and float over our coach. Then walk to the launch area and watch for a while. We would then late morning go through the exhibits onsite, do lunch and the go site seeing in the nearby areas. Come back and in the evenings watch the different events they had scheduled. As a father to see my children enjoy something sooo much, was a one of the greatest gifts I have received. It is spectacular!
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Donald…
DY and I attended the Fiesta in 2015….it was a terrific experience. Hope you like to get up early…they fly at the crack of dawn!
Lot’s of walking, but they run a shuttle from the camping area to the grounds. We parked in what is called “standard” camp sites($30)…totally dry camping…honey wagon and fresh water tanker available. It was easy dry camping and we’re glad we went….it’s quite a spectacle.
There are “premium” sites up on the hill about the field, but they were sold out and run about $150/day, if I remember correctly.
All in all a worthwhile destination…I would encourage anyone to attend the Ballon Fiesta. ty
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Thank you for your comments and experiences at the Fiesta. This will be a new experience for us 😉
June
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