Freed special shapes greet crowds

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Darth Vader lives.

The popular special-shape balloon and several others that had been stuck in China for more than a month made it to Albuquerque in time to launch during Thursday morning's Special Shapes Rodeo at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

A large crowd gathered around Darth Vader as he was inflated Thursday morning. The popular balloon, shaped like the Star Wars character's head, launched during the rodeo and landed about 15 minutes later just feet from its launch site.

Special shapes, ride balloons and two standard balloons belonging to sponsor Wells Fargo were the only balloons allowed to launch from Balloon Fiesta Park on Thursday morning.

Other balloons were able to fly to the field during one of the Fiesta's more popular ballooning competitions, the prize grab, where envelopes containing prizes were placed atop tall poles at the field.

The special shapes are also scheduled to participate in a Glowdeo on Thursday night, when they inflate on the field and light their burners, causing the balloons to glow.

Another Special Shapes Rodeo and Glowdeo are scheduled on Friday.