Tue, Nov 09, 2010
The sight of a stereotypical balloon is immediately
recognizable... and somewhat iconic... but what's happened to this
sport over the last few decades would have shocked the folks who
pioneered this industry... with balloons now crafted to take on all
manner of topics, figures, faces and images.
It's hard to imagine what it takes to make something as
immediately recognizable as the Energizer Bunny or Darth Vader
actually FLY... but Cameron Balloons' Andy Baird and his team have
probably been behind more aerial double-takes than anyone in
the history of lighter-than-air flight. Repeat after me, folks...
WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT that just flew past???
Aero-TV looked into the amazing craftsmanship and technology
behind today's "Special Shapes" balloons while enjoying a LONG and
visually stimulating week at the 2010 ABQ Balloon Fiesta... The
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has been going strong for
nearly four decades.
Guests from all over the world come to Albuquerque to celebrate
ballooning. Literally hundreds of balloons take flight from the
Balloon Fiesta Park each year. From its modest beginnings in 1972
with 13 balloons launching from a shopping mall parking lot, the
Balloon Fiesta has grown to multiple events launching year-round at
the custom-designed, 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park.
Their signature event remains Balloon Fiesta -— which,
with 700 balloons, is the largest ballooning event on earth, the
most photographed event on earth, and the largest annual
international event held in the United States.
The 2011 ABQ Balloon Fiesta is scheduled for October 1-9,
2011... be sure to look us up... ANN will be there.
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