Volunteering at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF)

We left Santa Fe and had a short 1-hour drive to Albuquerque, where we were volunteering for RV Parking at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF).

 

We signed up initially as RV Parking volunteers in 2020, but the Fiesta took a siesta that year due to COVID.  Then we withdrew our application for 2021 after we made the decision to go East in May to help my Aunt Maureen with chores at Misty Lee Farms when Uncle Ted was so gravely ill.  Volunteering in 2022 fit well with our travel plans.   And the gig was even more enticing since it was the 50^th anniversary of the Balloon Fiesta.

 

Though we didn’t know it initially, AIBF has many different positions for their 1,200 “Navigators”, the nomenclature AIBF uses for volunteers (yes, with a staff of less than 2 dozen, they rely HEAVILY on volunteers)  But the RV Parking position is the only one that we ever learned about from fellow RVing friends.  Ironically, it is the only Navigator position not listed on the AIBF website.  So, it appears that word-of-mouth is AIBF’s preferred mode for recruitment.  Therefore, yours truly, Rambling RV Rat, is going to give you the lowdown on RV Parking.

 

RV Parking entails the longest time commitment of all Navigator positions (5 weeks).  As a result, it comes with the biggest perk:  a complimentary RV site with generator-provided electric and free tank dumps/pumps.

 

Starting the Tuesday after Labor Day, 4 hours each weekday morning were spent preparing the various RV parking lots (South, North, West, Presidential, and the lot affectionately known as the Pig Pen, dedicated to the various groups of law enforcement.) The South Lot is the largest and requires the most work.  Tasks include removing trash, rocks, and TONS of goathead weeds (those nasty, prickly spurs that stick to your shoelaces, pants, and socks); laying out the hundreds of 55’ X 20’ RV sites; liming/painting lines, etc.  Additionally, we assisted other Navigator groups with assembling bags for sponsors, guests, pilots, and volunteers that included entry tickets, coupons, and assorted freebies like calendars, fanny packs, and rain ponchos.  Treasured AIBF commemorative jackets are provided to specific groups, including Navigators who fulfill the required number of shifts and complete the task of watching mandatory videos (RV Parking Navigators are among the jacket recipients).

 

For the first 2 weeks, all the RV Parking Navigators were stationed in the Presidential Lot.  But once we were given our lot designations, we all had to relocate.  We were assigned to North Lot, a lot that had just been added in 2021.  But most of the information that was provided to us during our daily “happy hours” at the Presidential Lot was relevant only to the South Lot RV Parking Navigators.  (I put "happy hours" in quotes because we thought they were for socializing/team building prior to Fiesta but instead became monotonous and redundant lectures that several Navigators just stopped attending). 

A beautiful sunset from the Presidential Lot in the weeks prior to commencement of Fiesta.

 

A storm is brewing--as seen from the Presidential Lot.

We were warned repeatedly by the evening lecturer that “everything is held together with Velcro here”, a statement that proved to be 100% accurate.  Things changed quickly and often, with communication and organization often lacking.  (Apparently, this was not unique to this year, but rather is a systemic issue based on reports from several sets of friends who worked at a prior Fiesta).  Sometimes it was hard to believe that this was the 50^th anniversary of this event.  (It reminded us of working with Amazon CamperForce several years ago.    Things were so screwy-louie there, we workcampers joked that it was nothing short of a miracle that customers received their correct order and in a timely fashion to boot.)  

 

Because it was a milestone anniversary (50th), 2022 had many veteran Navigators return from prior years, thereby forming their own cliques.  While remaining quiet as a church, I observed the behavior of others. And from my "newbie" standpoint, there were way too many “Chiefs” and not enough “Indians” among ALL the Navigator categories.  Many were busy schmoozing to position themselves for more prestigious roles in future Fiestas.

 

On Monday before the Fiesta started (9/26), guests began to arrive. From that point until cleanup commenced after Fiesta ended (10/10), North Lot RV Parking Navigators worked every day but 1 (something we were not expecting based on the experiences of several sets of friends who worked at Fiesta in 2017).  Our shifts ranged from as little as 4 hours to as many as 11 hours daily.

 

The RV Parking crew checked guests in via a new computer software, distributed their goody bags and parking permits, reviewed rules with them, responded to inquiries, and escorted RVs to their respective parking spots.  We also sold parking passes and ice that could be purchased via cash or credit card.  Additionally, AIBF North Lot volunteers were required to perform administrative tasks and handle cash-only payments for the third-party dump/pump service company. (Why AIBF does not require the dump/pump service company be responsible for its own cash business transactions is beyond my comprehension).

Oh, but seeing the magnificent balloons made us forget all the craziness!  Though Mother Nature was very uncooperative and forced the cancelation of many events, it was simply magical watching the mass ascensions!   What an assortment of balloon sizes, colors, and special shapes!  I told my parents they should have a balloon manufactured to replicate ME, but then I learned it will cost more than $150K!  Yikes, ballooning is an expensive hobby!

Here's a time lapsed video of Day 1:   

                                        

Morning Glow - 6 a.m.

Fighter Plane Fly-over

The hooves of the team of rescue horses were clad in lights at night!

The AIBF offers guests the rare opportunity to go onto the field and walk among the balloons, speak to the pilots, and watch the crews in action.  As a vertically-challenged stuffed rat, it was a bit scary for me to be among the massive sea of human legs on the field, and I got separated from my parents.  But one of the Zebras on the field reunited us.  What’s a Zebra, you ask?  Zebras, who dress in black/white stripes (hence their name), are the officials that give each balloon the lift-off cue.  I thought it was funny that Zebras in training are called ZITS.  The field's "Main Street" includes food vendors, artisans, and even some kiddie amusement rides.

 

The only ballooning experience yours truly, Rambling RV Rat, could afford on my allowance was this amusement ride for $10/person. 

The festivities included awesome fireworks, which happened to go off right behind the North Lot.  The booms were so loud, our whole RV reverberated!  And the drone light show was spectacular!  I was amazed at the synchronization involved to make each image.  The North Lot provided easy access to the field, with many balloons flying right over our rig.  How awesome is that!

 

We enjoyed meeting many Fiesta guests who traveled from near and far to attend the Fiesta and chatting with members of various Navigator groups about the other volunteer opportunities here at AIBF.  Friends Pierre/Lesa stopped by for a visit (based on their experience as RV Parking Navigators in 2021, they switched this year to volunteering with Escapees Boomers as balloon crew members).  And we had a chance to catch up with fellow Escapee Mark and give hugs to two of our Quartzsite dance buddies, Kathy and Terri.

In summary, it was cool to be a part of a milestone event like the 50th anniversary Fiesta, but we would not return for a repeat performance.  So there you have it, the scoop and the poop from this Rambling RV Rat. 

 

We did lots of exploring of Albuquerque before Fiesta started and after our commitment ended, which I’ll tell you about in my next post.  Talk to you again soon!