Community Forums

rgvtexan · 08-23-2018, 10:31 PM

Monty
Not sure what you are calling the infield, but traffic can be a bear a few hours before or after an event. The rest of the time it is just very busy.
They turn some of the streets in to one way, so you have to be aware as to where you are going. If you are trying to get back to the Fiesta area after the nightly fireworks, it may take some time.

Norm

creativepart · 08-25-2018, 10:48 AM

We're going for the first time this year. My wife suggested it early last year and we made reservations the day the online system opened last year. We got the Premium RV space with 30-amp power and water (either available or to the rig we're not sure). We're booked for Wed thru Sun at the end of the festival. We heard the crowds are less later in the week and we hope that's so.

We're making this the tail end of a 5-week trip. We're also spending a week in Santa Fe, a week in Creede, CO and a week in Durango as part of the trip.

Since I was booking the Fiesta sites so early I also booked the 3-days before we go into the Balloon Fiesta site at American RV Resort in ABQ AND the 2-days AFTER the Fiesta, too. So, we won't get stranded before or after the event. We hear that every RV park for 200 miles is full up right before and right after the Fiesta.

We're looking forward to the event and hope to see lots of you folks there.

Bchtravlr · 08-29-2018, 12:45 PM

We are trying to decide if we bring our bicycles to the fiesta. We will be in the VIP west lot with the Escapees HOP. It looks as if there isn’t much need to get to the launches, but they may be useful to get to other areas in the fiesta grounds vs. hoofing it.

Any past attendees thoughts?

C.Martin · 08-29-2018, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bchtravlr

We are trying to decide if we bring our bicycles to the fiesta. We will be in the VIP west lot with the Escapees HOP. It looks as if there isn’t much need to get to the launches, but they may be useful to get to other areas in the fiesta grounds vs. hoofing it.

Any past attendees thoughts?

VIP West is so close that it really isn’t worth biking over. If you were way out in the other side of Alameda...then the bike would be useful.

With a group...usually you’ll hang out in the morning by the coaches until a group collects and saunter over having a nice conversation along the way. Other than the field, which bikes would be impossible to navigate with 80,000 pedestrians...the museum is right next to VIP West. During the day we took short road trips with the Jeep for exploring the local area. Lunch, Breweries, Museums and interpretive center. And Hatch Green Chile roasters...mmmmm.

rgvtexan · 08-29-2018, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bchtravlr

We are trying to decide if we bring our bicycles to the fiesta. We will be in the VIP west lot with the Escapees HOP. It looks as if there isn’t much need to get to the launches, but they may be useful to get to other areas in the fiesta grounds vs. hoofing it.

Any past attendees thoughts?

There is valet parking for bikes just east of you, bikes are not allowed on the field.

Be sure to come to the Red Cube just N of the Sid Cutter Pavilion and sign up to be on a Chase Crew (The Best Way to Enjoy Fiesta)

Norm & Donna
Chase Crew Team Leaders

D&D Young · 09-16-2018, 06:32 PM

Norm and Donna, we will be attending the Balloon Fest for the first time this year and will be staying in the standard lot in our 5th wheel. I see there are different groups that seem to stay together during these events however we are not part of any group. We booked the 9 days plus the Friday before and the Monday after. We were afraid of having some bad weather and after driving 2000 mile ending up not seeing anything. We applied to work on the chase crew for the time we are there so I believe we will meet at one of the meeting. Hopefully we will get to meet some of the people on here and get to check out some of the clubs.

Dennis & Denise

rgvtexan · 09-17-2018, 12:03 AM

We'll be looking for you. We will get there Wed or Thur. before.
Come see us in the Sid Cutter Pavilion on Fri. We will have some free pass for you, good for the whole week.

You will have a GREAT TIME.

D&D Young · 09-23-2018, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

We'll be looking for you. We will get there Wed or Thur. before.
Come see us in the Sid Cutter Pavilion on Fri. We will have some free pass for you, good for the whole week.

You will have a GREAT TIME.

Thank you and we will be looking forward to meeting you. We have reservations for the whole event but plan to arrive Friday and hope to get a spot for the extra day.

We are already packing up and doing checks of all equipment. We can't wait to pull out.

Dennis & Denise

chuck.s · 09-23-2018, 01:38 PM

We too are first timers. Only going to be there the first four days, then on to SantaFe for about ten days. Just rec’d email upgrading us to the camp area with water and 30 amp electric. Hope to meet some “new” friends there!!

rgvtexan · 09-23-2018, 03:13 PM

Stop bye the Chase Crew sign up and say Hi or sign up and have a ball..oon.

gatorcq · 09-23-2018, 04:25 PM

This will be ou3rd year volunteering. This year we are bring with us 15 coaches who will be volunteering also. Some work the courtesy shuttles, navigator tent, entertainment, and food prep in the Sid Cutter for the pilots and crew in the morning

rgvtexan · 09-23-2018, 08:08 PM

Thanks the AIBF can always use New Blood. We are looking to retire after 8 years. It has been a blast, I am sure your friends will enjoy themselves and will be back. They treat their volunteers (Navigators) very well.

Stop by the Chase Crew cube and say Hi.

Norm & Donna

jzlarson · 09-30-2018, 09:16 AM

It's our first time attending the balloon fiesta with an RV (just started RVing a year ago) We are in VIP West (sorry to see another poster noted large structures blocking the view there but I'm sure we will make do). My question is related to the various rallies that take place during the balloon fiesta--we are hoping to bump into the Escapees or other groups who have planned rallies out there--we are new to RVing and still looking at memberships. Since we will be there so early we figured we could scope out some of the rally locations and maybe meet some people to talk about membership in various groups. I don't know if there are any "National Specific" groups that have rallies, but maybe the more general groups would be of interest. Thanks so much!

mlgunn · 09-30-2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzlarson

It's our first time attending the balloon fiesta with an RV (just started RVing a year ago) We are in VIP West (sorry to see another poster noted large structures blocking the view there but I'm sure we will make do). My question is related to the various rallies that take place during the balloon fiesta--we are hoping to bump into the Escapees or other groups who have planned rallies out there--we are new to RVing and still looking at memberships. Since we will be there so early we figured we could scope out some of the rally locations and maybe meet some people to talk about membership in various groups. I don't know if there are any "National Specific" groups that have rallies, but maybe the more general groups would be of interest. Thanks so much!

The Escapees have a HOP there in the camping area across the street and the Escapee Boomers have 50 rigs also in the dry camping area. They are along between the canal and the landing field. Stop by they are a very friendly group and will answer any questions you might have about RVing or the festival.
Mike Gunn Escapees Boomer
2006 Inspire