1 of 7 Thousands gather to witness vibrant hot air balloons rise into the sky during the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Oct. 7, 2022. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/balloon-fiesta-516.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=878] The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest gathering of balloons in the world. ZUMAPRESS.com 2 of 7 Veteran balloonist Ron Curry, center, stands up the KKOB news radio balloon as thousands gathered at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico to watch the morning mass ascension on Oct. 7, 2022. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/balloon-fiesta-522.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=878] The first Balloon Fiesta launched while planning the KOB television station’s 50th anniversary. AP 3 of 7 Hot air balloons inflate as thousands of spectators gather at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico to watch the morning mass ascension during the 50th anniversary balloon fiesta on Oct. 7, 2022. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/balloon-fiesta-520.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=878] The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta features about 600 balloons and 700 pilots. AP 4 of 7 Justin Roberts, left, and Lara Pearce sport colorful birds hats as they take on the sights at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Oct. 2, 2022. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/balloon-fiesta-514.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=878] More than 25 million photos are estimated to be taken of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. ZUMAPRESS.com 5 of 7 Nicole Tagart, a launch official with the 50th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, signals a balloonist to take off in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Oct. 1, 2022. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/balloon-fiesta-517.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=878] The Albuquerque International Ballon Fiesta generated $186.82 million for Albuquerque and New Mexico’s economies in 2019. AP 6 of 7 Brian Keown, aboard the ADVENTURE 6 balloon, prepares to lift off at the 50th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Oct. 1, 2022. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/balloon-fiesta-518.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=878] The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s territory stretches more than 350 acres. AP 7 of 7 The flame of a gas burner helps inflate a balloon as part of a re-enactment of the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 1972 in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Sept. 30, 2022. [https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/balloon-fiesta-523.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=878] The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began in 1972. AP
