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Albuquerque Balloon Festival Draws Massive Crowds

Julie Taboh

   ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - The state motto of New Mexico is "Land of
   Enchantment." This is especially true in the weather-perfect month of
   October when the city of Albuquerque comes alive with the sight of
   hundreds of colorful hot air balloons filling the deep blue sky.

   For the past 48 years, the [1]Albuquerque International BalloonFiesta
   has been giving people both on and off the ground a visual feast of
   rare beauty.

   What began in 1972 with a modest launch of 13 balloons has evolved into
   the largest ballooning event in the world -- and the world's most
   photographed event.

   Over the course of a nine-day celebration earlier this month, about
   800,000 visitors witnessed more than 550 balloons of all shapes and
   sizes float above the state's largest city.

   Balloon flows and glows

   In the evening, about 200 balloons lit up the sky with balloon glows
   followed by spectacular fireworks.

References

   1. https://balloonfiesta.com/

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