ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A clear sky set up great conditions for pilots to lift off on the first day of the 50th Balloon Fiesta.

Visit Albuquerque's Red or Green? balloon flies overhead
Visit Albuquerque’s Red or Green? balloon flies overhead (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Balloon Fiesta Day 1. October 1, 2022 | Allison Giron Digital Content Producer
Balloon Fiesta Day 1. October 1, 2022 ( Allison Giron Digital Producer)
Balloon Fiesta Day 1. October 1, 2022 (Allison Giron | Digital Content Producer )
Balloon Fiesta Day 1. October 1, 2022 (Allison Giron | Digital Producer )
Balloon Fiesta Day 1. October 1, 2022 ( Allison Giron | Digital Producer)
Balloon Fiesta Day 1. October 1, 2022 ( Allison Giron | Digital Producer)
The special shape "Tiger" flown by Craig Farrell
The special shape “Tiger” flown by Craig Farrell (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Smokey Bear lifts off during Balloon Fiesta 2022
Smokey Bear gets ready for liftoff during Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Balloons take to the sky during Balloon Fiesta 2022
A photo of “Tico the Sloth” (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Crowds watch balloons lift off at Balloon Fiesta 2022
Crowds watch balloons lift off at Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Mandrill, flown by Warley Macedo flies by during Balloon Fiesta 2022
Mandrill, flown by Warley Macedo, flies by during Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Yoda takes to the sky during Balloon Fiesta 2022
Yoda takes to the sky during Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Panoramic of Balloon Fiesta 2022
Panoramic of Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Spectators watch Balloon Fiesta 2022
Spectators watch Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Balloons fly during Balloon Fiesta 2022
Balloons fly during Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
A balloon flies during Balloon Fiesta 2022
A balloon flies during Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Balloon Fiesta Day 1. October 1, 2022 (Allison Giron | Digital Producer)
Balloon Fiesta Day 1. October 1, 2022 (Allison Giron | Digital Producer)
Balloons flare ahead of liftoff at Balloon Fiesta 2022
Balloons flare ahead of liftoff at Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Crews begin preparation to liftoff from Balloon Fiesta Park
Crews prepare to liftoff from Balloon Fiesta Park (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Dawn Patrol takes off on the first day of Balloon Fiesta 2022
Dawn Patrol takes off on the first day of Balloon Fiesta 2022 (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Drone show kicks off Balloon Fiesta's 50th anniversary
Drone show kicks off Balloon Fiesta’s 50th anniversary (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Drone show kicks off Balloon Fiesta's 50th anniversary
Drone show kicks off Balloon Fiesta’s 50th anniversary (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)
Drone show kicks off Balloon Fiesta's 50th anniversary
Drone show kicks off Balloon Fiesta’s 50th anniversary (Jordan Honeycutt | Digital Producer)

To keep up on the latest Balloon Fiesta news, KRQE has a webpage dedicated to the event.