Balloon Fiesta '96

There are lots of special things about hot air balloons, but the most special thing of all is that they aren't actually good for anything except having fun. So it's neat when you get a huge collection of balloons and balloonists together. If nothing else, you know what you are there for.

Bill Jewitt is an avid balloonist from Yuma, AZ. We met Bill and his family on a Colorado River trip this summer and he waxed lyric about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, basically saying, "It's for everyone, come and join the fun!" Who could resist? Several friends were visiting during the 9 days of the festival, so we brought them too. There were something like 850 balloons, of which perhaps 700 launched together most mornings, along with probably 5000 pilots and passengers and crew, and probably twice that that many sightseers. What a kick.

	Page 1. Sunday Mass (ascension)
	Page 2. Sunday Mass (second coming)
	Page 3 Favorite balloons
	Page 4 People at AIBF
	Page 5 After math
	Page 6 Off-field

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