Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta holds day two mass ascension

Day two of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta opened at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque with a green flag that sent hundreds of balloons into the sky for a morning mass ascension.

Mass Ascension and Morning Schedule

The morning events began at 5:45 a.m. with a drone light show sponsored by Sandia Resort and Casino, koat.com reported. That display was followed by the Dawn Patrol show presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort at 6:00 a.m. and the Krispy Kreme Morning Glow at 6:30 a.m.

The mass ascension officially launched at 7:00 a.m., filling the Albuquerque sky with hundreds of flying vessels. Following the launch, the Fiesta de los Globitos, sponsored by the City of Las Vegas, New Mexico, took place at 7:30 a.m. Morning activities wrapped up with a chainsaw carving exhibition at 8:00 a.m. and the Fiesta of Wheels Car Show at 9:00 a.m., alongside balloon fiesta pin trading at the group tour tent on the north end of Main Street.

Power Line Incident and Safety Response

Amid the morning flights, KOAT Action 7 News crews found one balloon hanging on power lines in northeast Albuquerque after coming into contact with utility infrastructure. No injuries were reported from the incident.

Afternoon and Evening Events

Activities resume at 3:00 p.m. with another chainsaw carving exhibition at Balloon Fiesta Park. Team Fastrax will perform skydiving exhibitions sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. at 5:00 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. The evening schedule features the Balloon Glow at 6:30 p.m., followed by a second drone light show sponsored by Sandia Resort and Casino at 7:45 p.m., and an AfterGlow fireworks show closing the day at 8:00 p.m.