Special Shapes Glowdeo

The Wells Fargo balloons got the event started...corporate sponsors.


I'm telling you, you can literally walk right through the balloon area as they're inflating! Bryce demonstrates my point. (Yes, he's holding pink bunny ears. They're a freebie from the giant Energizer Bunny balloon.)


The scarecrow & the angel are fillin' up!


The thing on its back with the red nose is a giant bumblebee balloon. It has a twin, and sometimes they take off "holding hands" (thanks to giant velcro). All together now...ahhh!


Bryce got his wish(es)...a light saber and a photo with a Storm Trooper!


Stu loves this picture...the future Jedi in action!


My favorite, Airabelle, in all of her glowing glory. Yes, she actually can fly, but only if the weather conditions are darn near perfect. In other words, not very often.



Balloons galore aglow.


Grandma felt sorry for Drew (Mommy didn't buy him a light saber), so she took care of the problem. He looked pretty cute, until he started hitting strangers with it.

Yes, that's right, it's called a Special Shapes Glowdeo. Special shapes because they highlight all of the balloons that are not your typical teardrop shape. Some of them are downright strange, but most of them are pretty neat. My personal favorite has always been Airabelle, the Creamland Dairy Flying Cow. I also love the Jack-o-Lantern. Bryce is partial to the Darth Vader Balloon, and there was also a new Haunted House ballon that he liked this year. The event is called a Glowdeo because the balloons inflate but stay tethered on the ground. Then, as it gets dark, they fire their torches and the inside of the balloon "glows". It's an amazing sight. The coolest part is that you're not restricted to bleachers as a spectator, you're right out there in the middle of the field with the balloons. You can touch them, and some pilots even ask for your help as they get set up & inflate. Balloon Fiesta is truly one of the coolest things I've ever seen, and I never get sick of it! Definitely one of the highlights of living in Albuquerque!