Photos from the 40th Annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, October 2011. These photos taken on the 6th and 8th of October, either during the morning Mass Ascension or the evening After-Glow session.

This year there were 555 registered balloons, including 98 special shapes. Balloon Fiesta's estimated 2011 attendance was 737,466 visits. Balloons from 21 countries flew and there were 42 states represented. On the first mass ascension of the 40th Balloon Fiesta a new world record was set with 345 balloons launched from Balloon Fiesta Park in one hour.

It looks crowded, but the area assigned to each balloon is so large that the crowds are dwarfed - the total size of the balloon launch area is the size of 54 football fields. Everyone appears happy and enjoying the festivities as the balloon crews work feverishly to inflate their balloons in order to ascend or simply to glow in the evening dusk. This is an event that should be experienced by all children, young and old! A definite "Bucket List" event.