Annual New Mexico hot air balloon fiesta celebrates 50 years
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
The flame of a gas burner helps inflate a hot air balloon as part of a re-enactment of the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 1972 during a special event at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 30. Hundreds of hot air balloons will be lifting off over the nine-day annual fiesta that has drawn pilots and spectators from across the globe for 50 years.ASSOCIATED PRESS
Denise Wiederkehr McDonald, center, holds a cardboard cutout of her father as part of a re-enactment of the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 1972 during a special event at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 30. Wiederkehr's father was among the original 13 pilots to take part in the first fiesta.ASSOCIATED PRESS
Denise Wiederkehr McDonald, center left, prepares for a re-enactment of the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 1972 during a special event at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 30.ASSOCIATED PRESS
Denise Wiederkehr McDonald, left, prepares for a ride in a hot air balloon as part of a re-enactment of the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 1972 during a special event at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 30.ASSOCIATED PRESS
Crew members inflate a hot air balloon as part of a re-enactment of the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 1972 during a special event at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 30.ASSOCIATED PRESS
Crew members inflate a hot air balloon as part of a re-enactment of the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 1972 during a special event at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 30.ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hot air balloons prepare to lift off during a special event at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 30.ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hot air balloons prepare to lift off as part of a re-enactment of the first Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in 1972 during a special event at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 30.THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL VIA AP
Nicole Tagart, a launch official with the 50th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, signals a balloonist to take off in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 1.THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL VIA AP
Brian Keown, aboard the ADVENTURE 6 balloon from Marina Del Rey, Calif., prepares to lift off at the 50th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 1.THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL VIA AP
Balloons rise during a mass ascension at the 50th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 1.