By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Balloon Fiesta doesn’t officially launch until Saturday, but Rio Rancho kids get a head start Friday. Once the mass ascensions begin, Sandoval County hands locals and visitors an escape hatch from Balloon Fiesta Park traffic, with free sky-high views, art shows and farm-fresh breakfast burritos.
Balloons Aloft lifts off at every elementary school
Rio Rancho Public Schools elementary schools host their annual Balloons Aloft event Friday, Oct. 2, weather permitting. Doors open at 6:15 a.m., balloons inflate between 6:45 and 7 a.m. and take flight between 7 and 7:30 a.m.
Rio Rancho: Front-row seats, no ticket required
Morning winds often push balloons north, and high spots like Cabezon Park and A Park Above turn into free viewing decks. When hunger strikes, The BLOCK in Enchanted Hills serves birria tacos, Venezuelan street food and boba from repurposed shipping containers.
Corrales: Art, books and burritos
Plenty of balloons launched from Balloon Fiesta Park touch down in Corrales, Mayor Fred Hashimoto said.
The 38th annual Old Church Fine Arts Show and Sale runs Oct. 3-11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Friends of the Corrales Library host their fall book sale Oct. 3-4. The Growers’ Market sells breakfast burritos and local produce Sunday and Wednesday mornings along Corrales Road.
Hashimoto asked visitors to “drive slowly, and yield to equestrians, pedestrians, and bicyclists.” Translation: In Corrales, horses have the right of way.
Bernalillo and beyond
Bernalillo’s Loretto Park hosts the free Mountain West Fall Fest on Oct. 3, featuring food, music, vendors, kids activities and a car show. Cornhole competitors can toss their hats (and bags) into the ring at the Spartan Showdown Cornhole Tournament on Oct. 11 at Rotary Park.
History buffs can walk pueblo ruins at Coronado Historic Site. Road-trippers can climb the Jemez Mountain Scenic Byway (NM 4) past Valles Caldera National Preserve for hot springs and early fall color.
Worth the drive: Los Ranchos glows fun-size
Just south of the county line, the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque lines 4th Street with 66 Globitos on Monday, Oct. 5, from 5 to 10 p.m. The 20-foot, remote-controlled scale-model balloons come with fully working burners. They honor the Route 66 centennial along the original Mother Road, according to a press release. The free event also features live music, kids activity stations, beer gardens and food trucks. Think of it as a Balloon Fiesta at eye level, and no alarm clock required.
The 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta runs Oct. 3-11 at Balloon Fiesta Park.
Plan your Sandoval County Fiesta week:
- Balloons Aloft (RRPS elementary schools): Friday, Oct. 2, doors 6:15 a.m. Info: TK
- Old Church Fine Arts Show: Oct. 3-11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 966 Old Church Road, Corrales. corralessocietyofartists.org/old-church-fine-arts-show
- Friends of the Corrales Library book sale: Oct. 3-4, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 84 W. La Entrada, Corrales. friendsofthecorraleslibrary.wildapricot.org
- Corrales Growers’ Market: 9 a.m.-noon, Corrales Road between Jones and Double S roads. corralesgrowersmarket.com
- Corrales businesses and scarecrow contest: visitcorrales.com/discover-corrales
- Mountain West Fall Fest: Oct. 3, Loretto Park, Bernalillo. tobnm.gov/events/fall/mountain_west_fall_fest.php
- Spartan Showdown Cornhole Tournament: Oct. 11, Rotary Park, Bernalillo. Registration: my.cheddarup.com/c/2nd-annual-spartan-showdown-cornhole-tournament
- Globito Glow in the Village: Monday, Oct. 5, 5-10 p.m., 4th Street from Schulte Road to Pueblo Solano Road, Los Ranchos. Free shuttle from Los Ranchos Antique Mall, 7901 4th St. NW; $5 parking at Chamizal Trailhead, 4th Street just south of Osuna Road. losranchoseconomicdevelopment.org/globito