One of the best things about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is that people can go onto the launch field, right up to the hot air balloons, and watch them being set up, inflated, and launched into the air.

Of course, perhaps about half of the people just hang around the main concourse, either because they can’t be bothered walking out there, or they don’t realize they can (despite lots of others doing so). But it really is a magical experience to walk amongst the balloons.

Here are a bunch of photos of several morning sessions from this year. The morning sessions typically involve a few balloons inflating for the “morning glow”, where they light up when it’s still dark. Then a few will launch for “dawn patrol”, where the pilots can experiment with the air currents, reporting back to others on the ground. Then all the other balloons will start to inflate and launch once the sun is up.

A collector card:

The “zebras” are launch directors, telling balloons when it is safe to launch:

Mini remote-controlled balloons:

The blimp keeps an aerial eye on things:

We enjoyed having New Mexico Piñon Coffee each morning:

Tot Box potato tots, very tasty:

Arts and crafts stalls:

Another day, burritos for breakfast:

Bad coffee and decent burrito:

Pin collecting is quite popular:

Mounted police:

The crowd on the concourse:

Meat pies etc:

Beignets and tots:

National anthem while a balloon raises the flag, before the others take off:

So many balloons!