Oct. 3 -- Despite over 500 hot air balloons soaring through New Mexico's skies, some local residents have never attended the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
For the first time this year, that may change with the advent of New Mexico Day. The fiesta will offer New Mexicans free tickets with the show of a photo ID or utility bill with a New Mexico address for Monday, Oct. 7. Normally, guests pay a $15 fee per session.
Parking is still $20.
"The reason is because it's about us showing appreciation to New Mexico for supporting the event," said Judy Nakamura, president of the Balloon Fiesta board of directors.
"New Mexicans do things like house guests from all around the world," she continued. "New Mexicans clean up the park. They offer their land for the pilots to land. These are things that contribute to the success of the Balloon Fiesta.
"I have five people staying in my house to crew," she added.
The Dawn Patrol starts at 6 a.m.; most of the vendors will pack up by 10 a.m., Nakamura said.
Half the balloons will launch; half of them will fly in for a competition to hit a target.
"A lot of people have never seen a competition before," Nakamura said.
Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. organizers will place a boat in the middle of the field for the Sid Cutter Memorial Cup. Cutter was the 1972 founder of the Balloon Fiesta and he loved boats.
The balloons will sail from at least one mile outside the field and aim "baggies" with tails at the boat or at four targets designed to symbol islands.
"The goal is the tip of the boat," Nakamura said.
Cutter's widow Jewel will sit in the boat as the balloons float toward her.
"I took a ride with guests from California," she said. "A pilot I knew said, 'Get in.' "
"I'm afraid of heights," she added. "It was exhilarating, the colors, the quietness. Sometimes I don't look straight down. There's something about ballooning. The joy of ballooning takes over the fear."
For those interested in more than balloons, mariachis and Spanish dancers will entertain the crowd. Vendors will be selling New Mexico food and the New Mexico Chile Flight Team will fly in formation over the fields.
"It's something that, hopefully, will be a hit," Nakamura said.