Balloon Fiesta
From a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown to become hands-down the largest balloon event in the world. Held each year during the first week in October, the Balloon Fiesta hosts hundreds of balloons and over 1,000 pilots. The first gathering of 13 balloons in 1972 was held in the parking lot of Coronado Center in uptown Albuquerque. The following year, 13 countries took part in the “First World Hot Air Balloon Championships,” held at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. The event had already caught on. By 1978 Albuquerque was playing host to the world’s largest ballooning event (273 entries that year alone).