Balloon Fiesta, Post 2: Balloon Glow – Special Shapes

The balloon glow is an evening event where they don’t actually fly the balloons. They tether them, and inflate them, and they’re beautiful (and goofy, and funny, and just plain weird).

The Albuquerque balloon fiesta is unusual in that you get to be right up close to everything. It seems dangerous to me with the crowds and small kids and open flames. But it’s an amazing and unique experience and I hope they are always able to keep it that way.

These photos are from the “special shapes” glow (all the crazy types of balloons). Many of them are advertisements for local businesses, others are cartoon or media characters, others are for awareness, or just for fun. I don’t tend to watch TV or movies, so a lot of them I only vaguely recognized, if at all. I think it would be really fun for kids (and adults!) who recognize the characters.

The first few photos are from when it’s not quite dark yet.

The enormous inflated spider on this balloon was quivering in the breeze.

Some of the balloons glowed often and long (a few seconds). Others lit up only rarely and only for the briefest moment. It was hilarious watching all the tourists (me among them) swinging around with our phones to our faces, trying to click at exactly the right time.

I kept trying and trying to get a photo of this guy lit up. I have about half-dozen photos of him NOT lit up.

Finally, I got the bottom half. Eh, wasn’t worth it.

A bunch of us waited a long time for these birds to light up at the same time.