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The New Mexico Tourism Department has created a list of 17 things for visitors to do during Balloon Fiesta week, encouraging an extended stay for the hundreds of thousands of visitors that travel to see New Mexico\u2019s sky burst with color in early October.<\/p>\n
The list, titled \u201c17 New Mexico True Adventures You Need to Experience During Balloon Fiesta,\u201d showcases the wide variety of cultural activities and authentic experiences visitors can encounter before, during and after the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Suggestions include \u201cFill Your Tank\u201d (on the Breakfast Burrito Byway), \u201cCowboy Up\u201d (at the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium), \u201cReach for the Sky\u201d (at Acoma Sky City), and \u201cBreak Out Your Lederhosen\u201d (at Red River\u2019s Oktoberfest). Also included are nods to several of New Mexico\u2019s famed culinary trails, including \u201cSavor the Flavor\u201d (on the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail), which was just named the number one food trail in the country by USA Today\u2019s 10Best Readers\u2019 Choice Awards.
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\n\u201cWe want to show visitors the incredible variety of things they can experience while they\u2019re in New Mexico,\u201d said Rebecca Latham, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Tourism Department. \u201cThere\u2019s so much to see and do, whether it\u2019s a quick daytrip or an extended pre- or post-Balloon Fiesta vacation, and we think this list is the perfect format to help visitors easily decide what should be included on their itinerary.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a nine-day event that runs October 3-11. It\u2019s been called the \u201cworld\u2019s most photographed event\u201d and features more than 500 balloons dotting the sky at sunrise and glowing on the field at sunset. Several onsite activities, from music entertainment and flying competitions, to chainsaw carving and breakfast burrito tasting, round out this uniquely New Mexican experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cBalloon Fiesta is without a doubt something you have to see in person,\u201d said Latham. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing like seeing the sun rise over the Sandia Mountains, with a warm breakfast burrito in-hand, while watching the giant balloons inflate on the field before taking off. It\u2019s one of the most amazing things I\u2019ve experienced, and I go year after year.\u201d<\/p>\n
View the \u201c17 New Mexico True Adventures You Need to Experience During Balloon Fiesta\u201d at NewMexico.org\/BalloonFiesta, and find hard copies of the list during the event at the easy-to-locate New Mexico True Traveler Mobile Visitor Center (on Main Street) and at the official Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Information Booths.<\/p>\n