Archive report captures opening day of 1999 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Opening day brought crowds together in Albuquerque during the final launch of the millennium. The historic gathering showed how the tradition drew visitors from across the country.

An attendee named Wanda sat in the front row for the launch. She had attended every opening morning for the past decade.

“It’s the best spectator sport you can be involved in,” Wanda said. “And it’s super. I tell my family to get their butt up here.”

Pilots prepared their equipment to make sure every detail was on target. One craft took to the sky upside down.

“The owner of the company saw a balloon reflection in the water and then he said, now that would get everybody’s attention,” the pilot said. “Everybody laughed and said, yeah, it sure would, but you know you cannot have a balloon fly upside-down.”

Spectators gathered with cameras throughout the field in Albuquerque. The event reportedly fills countless photo albums every year.

“No matter which way you look, you’re seeing something interesting and unique,” one visitor said. “We travelled all the way from Maryland to get here.”

Four people boarded a basket for their first flight. One passenger said, “We’re ready to go.” Another rider added that they felt excited.

A third passenger described the experience as a “little terrified, actually.” The launch concluded the final opening day of the century.

The annual event serves as an outdoor gathering for pilots and spectators. Crews prepare specialized hot air equipment on open launch fields. Visitors travel to Albuquerque each autumn to watch the flights.

Archive records preserved the original broadcast accounts from the field.