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Balloon Fiesta HOP

October 5, 2018 - October 14, 2018

Balloon Fiesta HOP 1

Option #1: October 5-10,2018
Option #2: October 10 – 14, 2018
Option #3: October 5 – 14, 2018

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Balloons, balloons and more balloons! If this world premiere event is on your bucket list, then join SKP friends for the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

If this world premiere event is on your bucket list, then join SKP friends for the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Each morning as dawn breaks over the majestic Sandia Mountains, the skies will be filled with 600 bright, beautiful and palatial hot-air balloons from all over the world.

From its modest beginnings in 1972, the Balloon Fiesta has grown into the largest International Balloon Fiesta with a 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park, with the launch field being the size of 78 acres (54 football fields). It is the most photographed hot-air balloon festival in the world, with some events having an excess of 80,000 people in attendance.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the only Balloon Fiesta where the “box effect” comes into play. The “box effect” is a special wind pattern that helps pilots navigate their balloons in a vertical, rectangular path, allowing them to return to the launch field, or even right next to your RV.

The Dawn Patrol lifts off first in the dark, with specially fitted lights, to observe weather conditions at different altitudes, such as the wind speed and its direction. Upon approval, the balloons lift off in a mass ascension.

One of the most exciting events is the Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension, where balloonists wave their own national flag during the launch.

Even though there are always traditionally-shaped balloons, there will be various specialty shapes, too. Some of most popular are the cow, sun, pig, stagecoach, clock, skunk, the Lady bug and the sweetest mother, daddy and baby bumblebees. The bumblebee’s hands have Velcro, so when they touch in midair, it appears they are holding hands.

When visiting any of the balloon pilots, remember to ask them for one of the trading cards which will explain all the pertinent information about their balloon.

This fiesta also hosts the Gas Balloons – America’s Challenge race, with the winner being the one that has traveled the farthest. Some of the gas balloons have gone as far as the East Coast and into Canada, and you can track their progress on the Fiesta website.

On the launch field, at dusk, you can see the burners of the balloons ignite and watch the evening sky fill with a bouquet of bright colors, as they lift off.

The nights will finish with an extraordinary display of fireworks.

Escapees will have Boondocking, “rally style” parking and a private tent for inclement weather, socials, games and catered dinners.

There will be a considerable amount of walking, so please bring comfortable walking shoes, as well as binoculars and a camera to capture those once-ina-lifetime special moments.

Calendar of Activities

Option 1

Blue

Can park early on October 2, 3 or 4th for $22.50 per day. Please let headquarters know which early days you will be parking when you register for this HOP

Option 2

Red

Early parking for option #2 is not available for the HOP.

Option 3

Blue

Red

Can park early on October 2, 3 or 4th for $22.50 per day. Please let headquarters know which early days you will be parking when you register for this HOP

Friday, Oct. 5

  • Welcome to the Balloon Fiesta HOP!
  • Balloon pilot presentation
  • Announcements and social hour
  • Catered dinner

Saturday, Oct. 6

  • Catered breakfast
  • Laser Light Show
  • Dawn Patrol Show
  • Morning Glow
  • Opening Ceremonies
  • Mass Ascension
  • AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational
  • Announcements and social hour
  • Catered dinner
  • Twilight Twinkle Glow™
  • America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Launch
  • Laser Light Show
  • AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show

Sunday, Oct. 7

  • Catered breakfast
  • Dawn Patrol Show
  • Laser Light Showl hour
  • Morning Glow
  • Mass Ascension
  • AIBF Chainsaw Carving
  • Invitational
  • Fiesta of Wheels Car Show
  • Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading
  • Dinner
  • Balloon Glow
  • Laser Light Show
  • AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show

Monday, Oct. 8

  • Catered breakfast
  • Laser Light Show
  • Dawn Patrol Show
  • Balloons Launch
  • Balloon Competition Flying
  • AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational

Tuesday, Oct. 9

  • Catered breakfast
  • Laser Light Show
  • Dawn Patrol Show
  • Balloons Launch
  • Balloon Competition Flying
  • AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational
  • Farewell catered dinner

Wednesday, Oct. 10

  • Catered breakfast
  • Welcome to the Balloon
  • Fiesta HOP!
  • Announcements and social hour
  • Catered dinner

Thursday, Oct. 11

  • Catered breakfast
  • Laser Light Show
  • Dawn Patrol Show
  • Special Shape Rodeo
  • AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational
  • Announcements and social hour
  • Catered dinner
  • Special Shape Glowdeo
  • Laser Light Show
  • AfterGlow Fireworks Show

Friday, Oct. 12

  • Catered breakfast
  • Laser Light Show
  • Dawn Patrol Show
  • Special Shape Rodeo – Balloon Launch
  • Competition Flying Begins
  • AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational
  • Announcements and social hour
  • Catered dinner
  • Special Shape Glowdeo
  • Laser Light Show
  • AfterGlow Fireworks Show

Saturday, Oct. 13

  • Catered breakfast
  • Laser Light Show
  • Dawn Patrol Show
  • Morning Glow
  • Mass Ascension
  • AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational
  • Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading
  • Music Fiesta (extra charge)
  • AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational
  • Announcements and social hour
  • Farewell Catered dinner
  • Night Magic Glow
  • Laser Light Show
  • AfterGlow Fireworks Show

Sunday, Oct. 14

  • Catered breakfast
  • Laser Light Show
  • Dawn Patrol Show
  • Morning Glow
  • Farewell Mass Ascension

Subject to Changes
**Rain or shine. **This HOP includes considerable walking.
**Special dietary requests cannot be accommodated.

Registration Includes:

  • RV parking at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
  • Entrance tickets to the balloon launch field
  • Access to the flying competitions
  • Catered breakfast and dinner
  • Private party tent with tables and chairs for inclement weather
  • Games
  • Prizes
  • Your HOP hosts
  • Souvenir HOP name tag
    Gratuities

AND MUCH MORE!

Registering

When registering for any land HOP, you may pay half upon registering and make monthly payments. The balance is due 60 days prior to the event. Ask the HOP department about the payment option.

For more information, email registration@escapees.com

Note: Non-Escapees members are welcome to attend a land or cruise HOP. There will be a $50.00 charge for non members. However, if you join Escapees, the $50.00 will be waived.

To view upcoming HOPs

To visit the HOP Facebook page:

To join our discussion forum

After Registering

After registering for this HOP, you will receive a confirmation letter with important information and instructions.

Please, be sure that Escapees has your current email address on file.

Cancellation & Interruption Insurance

We highly suggest that you protect your investment for this HOP, by purchasing trip insurance. If you or a family member has a pre-existing medical condition, you might consider purchasing cancellation insurance. Insurance can also help with covering other unexpected emergencies. You can get more information about this insurance, such as pricing and coverage, by calling the Escapees Travel Agency, 855-757-8881, or email them at: eta@escapees.com. Travel insurance must be purchased within 10 business days, once the HOP is purchased.

* 10 percent cancellation fee of the full registration amount will be deducted from any refunds 61 days or more prior to the event, unless stated otherwise. There are no refunds 60 days or less prior to the event. For events booked through a travel agent, or for rental of equipment, or for events not booked through Escapees RV Club, the cancellation policy of that entity supersedes the HOP cancellation policy.

Physical Needs for HOP –  Escapees Inc. will attempt to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled attendees when it is within our control. Please advise us of any special needs as early as possible so we can make arrangements.

By attending this event, you are agreeing to the following: As an attendee, you assume all risk and danger relating to your personal property, RV and attendance at the HOP event, whether occurring prior to, during or after the event. In the event of loss or theft, no claim will be made upon Escapees, its volunteers, employees or agents. Volunteers may be directing and assisting you in your parking areas. However, it is the driver of the vehicle who is ultimately responsible for avoiding obstacles or dangerous situations, and is solely responsible for any damage to one’s property or the property of others. As an attendee at this event, you are granting your permission to be filmed, videotaped, audiotaped, or photographed, and granting the full use without compensation./

Details

Start:
October 5, 2018
End:
October 14, 2018
Event Category:
Website:
/hops

Organizer

Lisa Koca
Phone
936-329-6499
Email
registration@escapees.com
View Organizer Website

Venue

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiest
4401 Alameda Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113 United States
+ Google Map
View Venue Website

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