Albuquerque, NM -The 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil will host the largest gathering of special shape balloons as a part of the world’s premier balloon event, October 5-13, 2024. This year’s event will include 106 special shape balloons; 16 of those shapes will make their first Balloon Fiesta appearance.
Notable new special shape balloons will share the air with the event’s first-ever pilot from North Macedonia, Borche Paunovki who will be flying the pink Gnome balloon. Météo, piloted by Alain Bard from Canada, is a “weather balloon,” featuring meteorological features. Churro, piloted by Heather Watkins is a dog-shaped balloon with Churro the dog as co-pilot. As a nod to New Mexico tradition, the new Zozobra special shape balloon is set to fly in the October events as well.
With sixteen countries represented in this year’s event, one special shape in particular is bringing their culture to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Mazu, representing Taiwan (Republic of China) is shaped as the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture and traditions. Mazu will be making her appearance for the first time culturally representing her country.
Special shape hot air balloons and the pilot’s home country making their inaugural appearance at Balloon Fiesta include:
| Balloon Name | Country |
| Macaw Red | Brazil |
| Macaw Blue | Brazil |
| Météo | Canada |
| Police Dog | United States of America |
| Barx | United States of America |
| Mazu | Taiwan (Republic of China) |
| Hunter, The Fox | Brazil |
| Capitao Carverna | Brazil |
| D-Ohtb | Germany |
| Frank Boy | Brazil |
| Turtle | Brazil |
| Churro | United States of America |
| Candy House | Brazil |
| The Brain | United States of America |
| Zozobra | United States of America |
| Duke City Redi Mix | United States of America |
In addition to these new balloons, many Balloon Fiesta Special Shape fan favorites will also be making their return. These include Airabelle the Creamland Cow, Darth Vader, Master Yoda Balloon, Montie the Black Sheep, Allycorn, and many more.
Special shape hot air balloons and the pilot’s home country returning to Balloon Fiesta include:
| Balloon Name | Country |
| Bud E Beaver | United States of America |
| Steggy | Brazil |
| Montie the Black Sheep | United States of America |
| Jota Balloon | Brazil |
| Hug A Bear | Belgium |
| Conair | United States of America |
| Spunky | United States of America |
| Tall Steve | United States of America |
| Darth Vader | United States of America |
| Kermie The Frog | United States of America |
| Space Cowboy | United States of America |
| Bella The Bulldog | United Kingdom |
| Carousel | United States of America |
| Wags | United States of America |
| Beagle Maximus | United States of America |
| Yellow Hawk | United States of America |
| Freedom Flight V | United States of America |
| Billy the Kid | United States of America |
| Chris P. Bacon | United States of America |
| IVO | United States of America |
| Balloonaful Sunrise | United States of America |
| Sushi | United States of America |
| Tico the Sloth | Canada |
| Buzzy | United States of America |
| Amelia Bearhart | United States of America |
| Ham-Let | United States of America |
| Tiny Fire Dog | United States of America |
| Off the Wall | United States of America |
| Puddles | United States of America |
| Pico | United Kingdom |
| Astro the Alien | United Kingdom |
| Allycorn | United Kingdom |
| Pigasus | United States of America |
| Baby T-Rex | United States of America |
| Snobird | United States of America |
| Bandit | United States of America |
| Milkyway | United States of America |
| Wally | United States of America |
| Belzebuth | France |
| Master Yoda Balloon | Belgium |
| Keystone Willy | United States of America |
| Humpty Dumpty | United States of America |
| Mango the Seahorse | United States of America |
| Just Fun Cat | United States of America |
| Buster the Bulldog | United Kingdom |
| Tiger | United States of America |
| Wes the Wolf | United Kingdom |
| Owlbert Eyenstein | United States of America |
| Frankenstein | Brazil |
| Gnome | North Macedonia |
| 1 Down 8-2 Go | United States of America |
| Splash | United Kingdom |
| Lulu | United States of America |
| Party! | United States of America |
| Peg Leg Pete | United States of America |
| Pokey the Turtle | United States of America |
| Airabelle, The Creamland Cow | Canada |
| Betty Jean Butterfly | United States of America |
| Pencil Boy | United States of America |
| Little D | United States of America |
| Vampirella | Belgium |
| Coco The Clown | United States of America |
| Buzzy the Bee | United States of America |
| Tom Cat | United States of America |
| Cockoo Mag | Brazil |
| Cheezy | United States of America |
| Clown | Germany |
| Daz | United States of America |
| Mister Z | United States of America |
| Little Dog | Brazil |
| Itsy Bitsy | United States of America |
| Hyla the Frog | United Kingdom |
| Ms. Autumn | United States of America |
| Lindy | United States of America |
| Elvis Tribute Balloon | United States of America |
| Cutie Dink | United States of America |
| Lawrence Bear | United States of America |
| Luna Balloon | Brazil |
| Te Amo | United States of America |
| Princess Nelly | Belgium |
| Smokey Bear | United States of America |
| Jolley | United States of America |
Finally, don’t forget about the remote-control (RC) balloons. Balloon Fiesta’s third annual remote-control balloon rally will feature at least 57 tethered balloons, which are scale model balloons, about 20 feet tall. These “globitos” are miniature marvels, with 14 special shapes of their own, like Dolly the Donkey, Steggy the Dino-Soar and Pengiunette.
Remote Control Special Shape “Globitos” balloons and the controller’s home country at Balloon Fiesta include:
| Buscuit | United States of America |
| Penguinette | United States of America |
| Airiel | United States of America |
| Hotspot | United States of America |
| Perry A. Normal | United States of America |
| Peter Porker | United States of America |
| Baby Burd | United States of America |
| Dolly the Donkey | United States of America |
| Fred the Ladybug | United States of America |
| Cork the Puppy | United States of America |
| Steggy the Dino-Soar | United States of America |
| Lil Shamrock | United States of America |
| Bit-O-Mischief | United States of America |
| Muffin | United States of America |
| Piggy | United States of America |
“My favorite part about Balloon Fiesta is seeing the enjoyment and the excitement from somebody who’s experiencing Balloon Fiesta for the first time and seeing the Special Shapes, where else can you walk amongst giant toys,” says Jennifer Garcia, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Event Director.
While many of the special shapes will be flying throughout the event, Balloon Fiesta has several events featuring special shape balloons. The Special Shape Rodeo™ (morning) and Glowdeo™ (evening) events will take place on Thursday, October 10 and Friday, October 11. For more information about Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, visit https://balloonfiesta.com/.
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About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil is a festival of hot air balloons that takes place in October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit our website www.BalloonFiesta.com and follow us on Twitter/X @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.
Media Contact
Name: Tom Garrity
Phone: 505.898.8689
Email: media@balloonfiesta.com
Media for download
https://vimeo.com/garritypr/aibfnewspecialshapes?share=copy
https://nmnewswire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AIBF-2024-Special-Shapes-NR-FINAL.pdf
