My family will be going to ABQ Balloon Fiesta next weekend (Sat,Oct 10) for the night glow, just wondering where to park. Have you been or do you live in the area? Should we chance it and try and park at the Fiesta Park or choose a park and ride location? We're staying at the KOA in Bernalillo which is north of the Park and the park and rides are south of the Park. I'm sure there will be a lot of traffic so I'm wondering if driving beyond the Park to get to the park and ride locaitons is a mistake. We could go early to park at the Fiesta Park but there are events going on all day so I'm wondering if we'll even find parking at the Fiesta Park no matter what time we arrive. Have you been? Where did you park? I'd love some advice. Thank you!
Thank you 2kidmama for your useful information I would never find on any website or any google search. Thank you for the link Deb H but I've done my research and have already printed out the schedule. I was fishing for more than the logistical information that these websites provide. I wanted information and advice from someone who's actually attended.
Have you not tried googling this? Usually these kinds of events have a website with details including parking.
Also if this is an annual event the KOA where you are staying should have info, try calling them.
We have been a couple times and you have to get there very early in the morning to get a parking spot. Tons of people go at 5am. We did go early and got a spot which was still quite a long walk away. I personally would park in one of the park and ride locations. Both times we went it was VERY cold...bring your super warm winter coats, hats, gloves, fleece jackets. I wore long underwear under my pants and was very glad I did...and was still freezing. The second time we went some people who were leaving the night before at our hotel gave us their VIP passes (which are expensive). What a score! You get to park nearby, a delicious breakfast buffet is served in a big tent and you can sit out and watch the balloons under heaters. Ahhh. That was the way to do it! Have a great time...we love Balloon Fiesta!
i do! you drive past the line of oak trees running east/west until you see the big brick building with the 'eat bertha's mussels' banner. bang a left, and look to the skyline. when the really jagged hills are lining up with the very center of your windshield, stop. wait at least 3 seconds (6 is better), then proceed south (you'll probably need to make a ubie) and follow the signs (and the traffic) to the stubbled field inside a barrier of barbed wire. watch out for the dairy bull, he can be mean.
oh, wait. you want information about AZ. and here i am in MD.
khairete
S.
Love it when someone attempts a snarky answer and gets the location wrong. SMH.
You got good advice from 2kidmama. The good thing about your staying on the north side is that you will be going against traffic getting home afterwards. The only issue is that with the sheer volume of traffic the police sometimes will force all cars out the same direction having turned the two-way street into a one-way. If that happens be prepared to sit for ages as you slowly creep along waiting to find an open intersection to allow you to go the direction you need. The best leaving-the-park advice I can give is use the toilets before you go and have a snack for the car in case you do get stuck for awhile. Have a great time watching the Glowdeo! There is nothing like it on earth! The sound and lights are just incredible!
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/event-info/event-schedule
a quick google found that - anything you need to know is likely there - remember to check the tabs across the top of the page...
