Organizers of the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta are stressing safety, especially when it comes to young children.
This year's event is expected to be larger and busier than ever, with more than 600 balloons and pilots from all over the world, according to KOAT.
"There's nothing like looking up to the sky and seeing all these beautiful balloons," Chris Padilla, launch director for the Balloon Fiesta, said. "It's very easy as an adult to be looking up and that child walks away."
New Mexico State Police officers will be at the north and south ends of the park, encouraging parents to utilize the Tag Your Tots program, KOAT reported. Organizers recommend putting identification on children's wrists with parents' phone numbers listed. They said it is smart to take photos of what children are wearing at the event, as well.
Launch directors will be in charge of helping each balloon crew lift off and land safely, according to KOAT. They will be dressed as zebras and are available to help the public in emergencies.
"Let your child know that those of us that are in black and white uniforms – that they can come up to us there if they're lost," Padilla said. "We all have radios; we can transmit information about the lost child."
The event began on Saturday and runs through Oct. 9.
"We have 648 hot air balloons that are going to be flying with us on Saturday morning," Sam Parks, director of operations for the Balloon Fiesta, said. "That's actually the largest number of hot air balloons that we've had in over a decade."
Pilots from dozens of U.S. states and 21 countries will fill the skies over Albuquerque with balloons of all shapes and sizes, KOAT reported.
"We have 120 special shapes, and, normally, we're about 100," Parks said. "We actually have 20 brand new special shapes that have never been seen here before."
