Balloon Fiesta has a way of becoming part of the rhythm of Albuquerque each fall. For nine days, the city comes alive with color, early mornings, familiar traditions and visitors from around the world. For those who work behind the scenes, it is also an opportunity to share Albuquerque and New Mexico with a global audience while creating memories that last far beyond the final balloon flight. 

I started working with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta team during the 40th Balloon Fiesta, and 16 years later, I still look forward to the excitement Balloon Fiesta brings to our city. My role has changed over the years, but I keep coming back because this event and the people who make it happen hold such a special place in my heart.

One of my favorite parts of Balloon Fiesta is getting to work with media from around the world while also getting some good, quality time with our local media teams. Over the years, that has meant everything from working with a production crew from The Bachelor to helping stage a music video with a Canadian rock band, arrange a heartfelt CBS Sunday Morning profile piece and assist with a Japanese game show. Every Balloon Fiesta brings familiar faces, new relationships, fascinating stories, exciting projects and new technology. It’s a pretty incredible opportunity to help tell the Balloon Fiesta story and showcase Albuquerque and New Mexico to a global audience.

And then there’s the personal side. I’ve experienced three Balloon Fiestas while pregnant, which, of course, turned into a running joke year after year: “Are you STILL pregnant?!” Now, I get to watch my own kids experience Balloon Fiesta with their friends. Seeing them run around, take it all in and create their own memories has been a pretty special new chapter for me.

But honestly, the best part is still the people who make Balloon Fiesta what it is: the incredible staff working behind the scenes, the pilots who bring their amazing balloons to our skies and the volunteers who give so much of themselves to truly make every visitor’s experience a special one.

Cheers to another fantastic nine days of balloons, stories, friendships, and sharing a little bit of New Mexico with the world.