The events known as balloon glows were invented in Albuquerque in 1979, when local pilots inflated balloons on Christmas Eve night as a thank you to local residents. The sight of balloons lit from within at night like giant holiday ornaments was breathtaking, and glow events are now held all over the world.

At the Twilight Twinkle Glow, all the balloons fire their burners and light up at the same time and it is perhaps the most spectacular single moment in all of Balloon Fiesta. The Balloon Glow is followed by New Mexico's most spectacular fireworks displays.

This event was scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. Even though the two RV Gypsies made their RV reservation five months in advance, they were way at the back of the campground that held thousands of RV's (see the campground page). So the two RV Gypsies walked the 45 minutes from their RV to the event; (There were shuttle buses, but the two RV Gypsies were not aware of them at this time). The walk there and back, plus all the walking around the fiesta grounds, really was quite tiresome.

The two RV Gypsies purchased some food from the vendors, and walked around looking at the balloons. The Twilight Twinkle Glow never took place because it was windy, and not too many balloons showed up. But the two RV Gypsies enjoyed seeing some of the balloons inflate, and enjoyed the decorations on the vehicles. A few balloon crews did fire up for testing purposes.

Below: The two RV Gypsies watched a fire department's balloon get inflated.

Below: A female held the edges of the balloon open, while crew members went INSIDE the balloon to ensure that the material was spread out properly.

Below: Lee Duquette stood near a partially blown-up hot air balloon.

Below: The two RV Gypsies watched the balloon inflate a bit more, but then the balloon crew was told NOT to inflate the balloon any further because it was still too windy.

Below: POW-MIA hot air Balloon named Freedom Flight V. size: 105,000 cubic feet

Below: Humpty Dumpty doing push-ups. Size: 104,500 cubic feet and he can lift 1,600 pounds

Below: Lindy, Model 90A, was manufactured with a standard airworthiness certificate by Lindstrand Balloons in 2010.
Height: 200 pairs of sunglasses standing end to end.
Width: More than an armful
Weight: Enough Volume: 90,000 cubic feet + a little extra.

Below: Karen Duquette and the Lindy hot air balloon

Below: Ham-Let The World's Largest Flying Pig is an AX 105S and has a standard airworthiness certificate. He was manufactured by Aerostar International in 2002 and had his first flight at Freedom Weekend Aloft in Anderson, South Carolina. Ham-Let stands 110 feet tall, is 60 feet wide, and is 80 feet long from snout to tail. He weighs 750 pounds, and has 115,000 cubic feet of pure pork volume.

Hamlet has delighted crowds all across the United States and in Canada. When Pigs Fly was a phrase that the owner heard all the time growing up from his dad. The owner's son, Ryan, at age 15 designed him.

Below: Joey and Lilly - Size: 98,000 cubic feet each

Below: Karen Duquette pinched the nose of the panda balloon's photo on the truck. Bad Girl ! - Bad Girl !

Below: Karen Duquette in front of the Party Panda balloon as it inflates - size: 90,000 cubic feet - WOW!

Below: BETTY JEAN: Size: 120,000 cubic feet - The beautiful butterfly balloon was named for the pilot's mother.

Below: The Wells Fargo Stagecoach weighs more than any other balloon here and has the biggest crew. The stagecoach did not inflate today, but did inflate at the Balloon Glow the next day. This is a must-see.

The two RV Gypsies never got to see thee balloons, just the trucks.

Sahuaro Grande, the world's largest Cactus, and the witch.

A fire truck carries the balloon - The Gentle Stripper

Below: The two RV Gypsies with the Mountain Search and Rescue Team and their horses.

Below: Spyder Pig lights up - size: 115,000 cubic feet

Below: Just as the Moo Crew truck drove up, it was announced that the total glow event scheduled for tonight would not happen because it is too windy. Disappointing, but it was still exciting.

You have not seen it all yet......it gets better still!

Please return to the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta MAIN MENU to see the other six portions of this experience: mass ascension, a true balloon glow, dawn patrol, flying competition, the museum, and the amazing campground that held thousands of RVs.

OR Continue Navigation in the order of your choice via the alphabetical or category buttons below OR Click here to see travels by the year (not the best way)