Few things are as beautiful as Albuquerque during Balloon Fiesta. Every year for the past 40 years, my beloved hometown has played host to the world’s biggest and most spectacular festival of hot air balloons in the world. This year’s celebration began in earnest today, with the big billowy orbs launching from dozens of school playgrounds all across the city as part of Albuquerque Aloft, a program to teach children about these gorgeous gasbags.

I love living in this city because, with our majestic purple mountains to the east, haunting volcanic mesas to the west, and moody, magical skies, it feels like living in a spectacular and ever-changing painting here. This is all augmented during Balloon Fiesta, the way a beautiful woman is made just a tiny bit sparklier with the addition of some fine jewels.

I’d like to say thank you to the estimated 800,000 people who are visiting our city for this event. Welcome. Thank you for bringing your jewels for us to wear. Happy Fiesta!

Tagged: 2012, albuquerque, balloon fiesta