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| Balloons Float Over Red Rock Cliffs |
Ballooning in Albuquerque began in 1971 when two local aviation businessmen bought a hot air balloon for a decoration at their mother's birthday party. The following day, they taught themselves how to fly the balloon. One of the brothers, Sid Cutter, later convinced eight of his friends to form a partnership and purchase a second balloon. They named their partnership the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association, which has since grown into the largest balloon club in the world.
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| Mass Ascension at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta |
In 1972, KKOB Radio/TV asked Sid Cutter to fly his balloon as part of its 50th Anniversary celebration. At Sid's suggestion, KKOB agreed to invite a few other balloons to the celebration. Thirteen balloons from all over the United States came to Albuquerque for the event. Despite limited publicity, 20,000 spectators were on hand to watch the balloons. This was the first ascension of what has become the world's largest ballooning event, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The Balloon Fiesta now features more than 750 balloons from throughout the world, and draws hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.
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| Passengers Prepare for Lift-off |
Albuquerque's combination of mild weather, favorable wind patterns and rich ballooning heritage have earned it the title of Ballooning Capital of the World.