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Albuquerque Baloon Fest!

Yahoo Message Number: 5546
Need some info on this. Its too late for me to get there this October...but I'm planning on Oct of 2004. I see that its ""dry camping and no electric, etc. etc etc. But..?
Do they have "water trucks or ??" on site for additional water?? and "honey dipper" trucks around for black/grey disposal?

I see that via C Coach its limited to 75 rigs...and are they parked "tailgate to belly button" or is there decent room for slideout...main awnings..etc?

Im assuming that C Coach DOESNT reserve a "campground" for their "rally" but instead has sone "location" ( ?????) where they park as a group.

Any and all info /suggestions appreciated.

Sully

Re: Albuquerque Baloon Fest!

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5567
Sully

I to am interested in hearing more about baloon fest. I am also planning to attend in 2004 and Alaska in 2005. Look forward to seeing what kind of response you get to this post.

Jim

Jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511

Quote from: rvman4u
Need some info on this. Its too late for me to get there this > October...but I'm planning on Oct of 2004. I see that its ""dry > camping and no electric, etc. etc etc. But..? >

Do they have "water trucks or ??" on site for additional water??

and

Quote
"honey dipper" trucks around for black/grey disposal? > > I see that via C Coach its limited to 75 rigs...and are they parked > "tailgate to belly button" or is there decent room for
slideout...main

Quote
awnings..etc?

Im assuming that C Coach DOESNT reserve a "campground" for their > "rally" but instead has sone "location" ( ?????) where they park as

a

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5572
When we go this October, it'll be our 8th time in a motorcoach. We really love going! If you've got specific questions, maybe I can answer them.

Depending on where you choose to park, water and "honey-dippers" may be available, it varies by lot. You can get full hook-ups, too, but those lots are a bit further away than the others.

Suzanne R.

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5575
Suzanne,

I just printed out the schedule for the 2003 Fiesta. I realize that balloons find better flying weather in the early morning (and it's my wife who is a 'night person' who is all excited about going - I guess that she'll have to stay up all night and sleep all day!), but what do people do from about 10 or 11 AM until suppertime? Looks like it's a 'sit around and drink beer afternoon'!!

Glen R. Fotre - Tucson, AZ

1996 Beaver Patriot/Toyota 4x4 Xtra Cab/Toyota RAV-4 AWD/Miata/VW Sandrail FMCA #F36478 Good Sam #043833367 BAC glen@...
glen@...

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5578
Quote from: texsuzstar
When we go this October, it'll be our 8th time in a motorcoach. We > really love going! If you've got specific questions, maybe I can > answer them.

Depending on where you choose to park, water and "honey-dippers"

may

Quote
be available, it varies by lot. You can get full hook-ups, too, but > those lots are a bit further away than the others.

Suzanne R.
Suzanne: Close ...but still semi vague..??

"water and "honey-dippers" may be available, it varies by lot."

You mean by a "drawing"..i.e "lottery" or "lot" meaning specific parking spots?

"You can get full hook-ups, too, but
Quote
those lots are a bit further away than the others."...?? 100
yds...1/4 mile....2 miles??

Anyone have any idea what "full hookup" locations costs during the balloon fest??

info mucho appreciated

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5579
Quote from: Glen R\. Fotre, CCIM,\[br\
RECS"] >

I just printed out the schedule for the 2003 Fiesta.
Glen: Where about's did you find such a sched??

Sully

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5588
Go to http://www.aibf.org/
It has a map of the RV lots also. Looks like there are activities morning and evening and you drink beer all afternoon!

Glen R. Fotre - Tucson, AZ

1996 Beaver Patriot/Toyota 4x4 Xtra Cab/Toyota RAV-4 AWD/Miata/VW Sandrail FMCA #F36478 Good Sam #043833367 BAC glen@...

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5589
Last year was our first time to the Festival. We went with the Prevost Prouds for the first half of the week. This year we are going back with Bob Lee to see the 2nd half of the week. Plenty to do in and around the area to sitesee once the baloons have lifted off for the day. If you are with a group like Bob Lee there are assorted other side trips included in the itinerary. There is water and waste trucks available for a fee in the dry camping areas just east of the lift-off field. We had plenty to do last year. Going back this year in hopes of ocmpleting those things we didn't do last year.

Bill-PA-Country Coach Prevost XL 40' 1998

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5590
Quote from: Glen R. Fotre, CCIM, RECS"
Thanks for the info Glen. It looks as if getting THERE will be easier than getting info about it. Ive been downloading for over 2 hrs and havent even been able to open other that the home page. ??

Sully

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5593
FWIW: I am planning a Sun City Roseville (CA) RV Club trip for Sept/Oct 2004 to Branson, followed by Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for 20-30 rigs. The "RV Contact" at AIBF said that while they are hoping to make improvements, the events at the first weekend of the 9 day event is like "watching grass grow". I believe they have a three night minimum, and you will want to book the last weekend to catch the odd-shaped balloons and the mass-ascent.

Interesting side note she made, was to book a few extra RV spaces for a group (instead of 25, book 28) and get a big dining tent set up for the group.
Herb

Allure 2002 #30690

Quote from: Glen R\. Fotre, CCIM,\[br\
RECS"] > Go to http://www.aibf.org/ >

It has a map of the RV lots also. Looks like there are activities

morning

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5600
Herb--we live up the road in Foresthill. Is your RV club open to members not from Sun City? Email us at buttonwd@... Dale/Dede Loop
2001 Intrigue

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5630
After attending for the past 7 years, our experience has not been as this statement suggests:

"while they are

Quote
hoping to make improvements, the events at the first weekend of the > 9 day event is like "watching grass grow"."
During these 7 years, the first weekend in October had a mass ascension on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night is usually the gas balloon event -- very different from hot air, but very interesting if you take the time to learn about what is involved and then to follow the participants over the next few days. Sunday evening is often a balloon glow followed by fireworks. Even Monday morning usually has an unofficial mass ascension. Many special shape balloons participate in these 3 mass ascensions.

Even walking around and seeing all the different RVs and how folks set up camp is interesting.

Now, be aware that the balloon grounds where you can park your RV open in September, well before any of the Balloon Fiesta events begin. That may be a dull time unless you can entertain yourself happily in the town, surrounding area, or nearby Santa Fe (all of which we find fascinating!)

Suzanne R.

Re: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5632
Glen, we wondered about that, too, our first year. But, the balloon launch site is bordered on one site by almost a 1/2 mile line of vendors selling everything from shirts, cinnamon rolls, balloon souvenirs, etc. There's also a "musuem" of sorts that explains how the "box" of Albuquerque works, has gondolas set up for you to climb in an experience, some computers with programs about balloon history and workings, etc. There are also fairly large craft displays, tacos, corn on the cob, and often live music. This section stays open for a while after the balloons have launched.
Sometimes, we've seen opportunities to join a balloon chase team and someone usually is offering balloon rides (usually pricey!).

After these things close down, you can head into town (botanical gardens, old town, zoo, nature center, science museum, shopping, university) or head out of town (Santa Fe is a reasonable drive as are some Indian reservations and the Turquoise Trail) and there's the Sandia mountains in the east of town have walking trails and a gondola that goes up the mountain. Restaurant and great views at the top.

Some of our friends who aren't morning people have used this time to catch up on their sleep!

Hope this helps.
Suzanne

Re: website for Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5636
Quote from: texsuzstar

Sully,
> Try this site: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/ >

Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne! I found out what the problem was....That site HATES "Netscape" !! What would refuse to open after over 4 hours...popped right open when I switched to I.E. Geeze???
Im already planning on 2004 at present. Plans already for this fall of 2003.

Im just wondering how far in advance..approximately...Id have to call in for a space in the "Presidential" area where there is electric and water etc..etc. Any idea? Maybe January of 2004???....lol

Re: Albuquerque Baloon Fest!

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5643
Jim....
We went to the Balloon Fiesta in 2000. It's a must do if you're never done the balloon thing or just like balloons. It wasn't much of a rally.... maybe because it was mainly for the fiesta or maybe because it rained so much.... but fun!
It was short enough that we didn't need to take on water or need a honey wagon.
 

Re: Albuquerque Baloon Fest!

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5649
Quote from: Jim Hughes

Sully

I to am interested in hearing more about baloon fest. I am also > planning to attend in 2004 and Alaska in 2005. Look forward to > seeing what kind of response you get to this post.

Jim

Jacksonville, FL
2000 Allure #30511
The response hasnt been bad so far..*S* The website has been posted to go and see the details about it.
Im still interested and plan o call this next week.....about hor far in advance I need to reserve a spot in the "Presidential" area because I certainly want electric...all I can get to run the AC's if nothing else. At this point my intention is a 4 day stay there ending on sunday morning and as I'll be at American RV park before hand I can drain and flush sewage tanks..and take on a FULL load of water to last me 4 days.....but as I said I hate to run the noisy genset for AC power.

Sully