Balloon enthusiasts fill the launch field and walk among the tethered balloons of every color, shape and size. As the propane burners inflate the balloons against a dark sky, they seem to flicker like giant psychedelic light bulbs. Special shapes balloons come alive during magical evening Balloon "Glowdeos"™. Dinosaurs, bumble bees, flowers, a stage coach and a cow jumping over the moon can all be seen up close during a glowdeo, and they all launch together during their own mass ascensions, called "special shape rodeos."
Balloon pilots particularly enjoy the competition of the Albuquerque hot air balloon festival's precision flying events. Every weekday morning, pilots compete in events that are a lot harder than they look. In the key grab event, pilots must launch at least one mile away from the field, then fly back, avoiding collisions with hundreds of other balloons, and navigate to the precise location of an envelope attached to a tall pole. The envelope holds the keys to a new car and the first one to grab it wins.