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Annual New Mexico hot air balloon fiesta celebrates 50 years

By Associated Press and The Albuquerque Journal

Oct. 1, 2022

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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.
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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.
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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.
4/11
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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.
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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.
6/11
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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.
7/11
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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hot air balloons prepare to lift off during a special event at Coronado Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, Sept. 30.
8/11
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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.
9/11
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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.
10/11
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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.
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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.

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