Balloons launch during a mass ascent as part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2021. (Nadav Soroker for the )
Participation in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2021 fell by 9.5% compared to the Fiesta 2019, according to figures recently published by the Garrity Group, which is responsible for the fiesta’s media relations.
This year’s 49th event, which took place from October 2 to 10, recorded 783,866 guest visits. That’s a decrease of 82,548 visits from the 48th event in 2019, which attracted 866,414 guest visits (the fiesta was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic).
While it is not known what contributed to the decline in attendance, Fiesta spokesman Tom Garrity noted that “everyone was talking about COVID before and during the event,” which undoubtedly led some to refrain from large gatherings. Fiesta officials called for face masks to be worn indoors and recommended that masks be worn in all crowded outdoor areas.
Another factor was that three out of 14 balloon sessions were canceled because of the weather, Garrity said.
Other tallys now officially published show that 543 hot air balloons participated, 84 of which were specially shaped balloons, and 648 registered primary and secondary pilots.
Of the four teams of two competing in the 24th America’s Challenge gas balloon race, victorious pilots Noah Forden of Rhode Island and Bert Padelt of Pennsylvania traveled the furthest, landing near Big Spring, Texas after flying 356.20 miles – win the shortest distance ever for the race.
In the hot air balloon competitions, first place for the highest total went to Zerek Welz and second place went to Ray Bair, both from New Mexico. Third place went to Joe Zvada from Texas.
The nine-day fiesta also attended 950 volunteer navigators who provided a variety of administrative and guest services in more than 40 different areas, including balloon coordination and safety, setup and logistics.
Figures on the economic impact are not available this year. A study is conducted every two years to determine these impacts, with the next scheduled to be conducted at the end of the 50th event next year.
The financial impact of the 48th event was estimated at $ 109.89 million in direct spending, of which $ 6.52 million went to the Treasury, $ 4.09 million to the City of Albuquerque and $ 1.44 Millions of dollars went to Bernalillo County.
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