How one man’s runaway balloon birthed a New Mexico tradition

Sid Cutter’s 1972 Radio Promotion Becomes Balloon Fiesta

Sid Cutter turned a simple radio promotion into something much bigger in 1972.

When KOB Radio asked to use his hot air balloon for their 50th birthday, he had a bold idea instead. Rather than just give rides, Cutter set up a race with 13 balloons at Coronado Center Mall.

His “Roadrunner-Coyote” contest drew over 10,000 folks to watch as pilots chased Cutter across Albuquerque skies. What started with those few balloons soon grew to hundreds from around the world.

Today, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta stands as living proof of how one man’s vision can fill the sky with color each October.

Aviation Pioneer’s Son Flew Into Ballooning History

Sid Cutter grew up in a family that loved flying. Born in 1934, his parents William and Virginia started Cutter Flying Service at Albuquerque’s Oxnard Field in 1928.

His dad William became known for taking Navajo Indians on their first plane rides. Sid and his brother Bill learned to fly on their dad’s lap and both flew solo as teens.

At 21, Sid joined the Air Force where he flew jets and cargo planes until 1960.

He then came back to work at the family business and ran it as president for over ten years while it grew across the Southwest.

The Birthday Party That Changed Everything

In June 1971, Sid got into ballooning by complete chance.

He bought a hot air balloon to use as a decoration for his mom’s birthday party at their Sunport hangar. During the party, he gave tethered balloon rides when the rope suddenly broke free.

Sid found himself floating above Albuquerque. This unexpected flight sparked something in him.

With his love for flying, Sid felt like he was on a magic carpet. This lucky accident soon led to something much bigger.

Friends Banded Together To Form Balloon Club

Sid quickly shared his new passion with others. In 1971, he gathered eight friends to start Albuquerque’s first balloon club, the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA).

The club made it easier for new pilots to join by letting them buy “stock” in the club balloon at a good price.

Albuquerque’s sunny weather and the open spaces of the Rio Grande Valley made perfect flying spots for hot air balloons. The sport caught on fast, and Sid became well-known locally.

Today, that club stands as the world’s largest local balloon group.

Radio Station Wanted Something Big For Its Birthday

A lucky meeting started it all. Susan Johnson, who handled promotions for KOB Radio, saw Sid flying the club balloon and spotted an opportunity.

The radio station needed something special for its 50th birthday in spring 1972. Station boss Dick McKee asked Sid about using his hot air balloon for the celebration.

During their talk, McKee asked about the biggest gathering of hot air balloons ever held. Sid told him about an event in England with 19 balloons.

Oscar Kratz, who joined the chat, asked, “Can we get 19 here? ” Sid said he’d try.

Simple Tethered Rides Grew Into Record-Breaking Race

Sid thought bigger than anyone expected. Instead of just offering tied-down balloon rides for the radio station birthday, he suggested holding what would become the world’s largest balloon race at that time.

Even with little time to plan, his excitement pushed the project forward. He asked 21 balloons to join the event.

Sadly, some pilots had to cancel last minute, and a bad storm in the Midwest stopped others from coming. They ended up with 13 balloons.

They called it “The KOB Radio and Television International Balloon Festival & Rally” and treated every pilot like a VIP.

Thousands Watched Balloons Rise From Mall Parking Lot

The big day came on Saturday, April 8, 1972. Thirteen colorful hot air balloons gathered in the Coronado Center Mall parking lot, ready to make history.

Sid created a fun race with a southwestern twist on the classic hare and hound style. He flew the “Roadrunner” balloon while the other 12 pilots played “Coyotes” trying to catch him.

Between 10,000 and 20,000 people showed up to watch this first-of-its-kind event in Albuquerque.

Pilots came from Arizona, California, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, and Texas to join what would grow into something much bigger.

California Pilot Landed Closest To Win First Race

Don Piccard from Newport Beach, California, won the first Balloon Fiesta. As the owner of a balloon company since 1964, Piccard knew balloons well.

Though his balloon took off last that day, he finished first by landing just 184 feet from Sid’s deflated Roadrunner balloon.

The visiting pilots left with great memories of Albuquerque, praising both the flying conditions and the friendly locals. The success caught people’s attention, and folks started talking about making it a yearly event.

Ten Days Later They Bid For World Championships

The first Balloon Fiesta caught Don Kersten’s eye, who had recently led the Balloon Federation of America. Kersten came to check out possible host cities for upcoming events.

He loved what he saw in Albuquerque, thinking the city’s layout and the event team made a perfect match to host the first World Hot Air Balloon Championship.

With his push, the organizers decided to apply just ten days after the first Balloon Fiesta. Sid Cutter, Tom Rutherford, Don Draper, Al Ratchner, and Dick McKee flew to Chicago to pitch to BFA officials.

They won the bid, not knowing they were the only city that applied.

Weather Charts Read Wrong For February Event

Plans for the World Championship moved ahead despite some problems.

KOB Radio backed out because of rising costs, so Cutter, Rutherford, and Draper formed World Balloon Championships, Inc. to take over.

They set the First World Hot Air Balloon Championship for February 10-17, 1973.

They picked February after looking at weather charts, thinking it would be perfect for ballooning in Albuquerque. Later they realized they had read the charts wrong.

Despite the timing mistake, the event went on at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. The contest grew to include 111 pilots from 13 countries, with 7 of the original 13 pilots from 1972 coming back.

Half The World’s Balloons Gathered In Albuquerque

The 1973 World Championship ended with an amazing sight.

On February 17, 126 hot air balloons took off together in what was then the biggest mass takeoff ever. That number made up about half of all hot air balloons in the world at that time.

Denny Floden from Flint, Michigan, became the world’s first hot air balloon champion. The organizers went all out to make the event special.

They made custom money clips with Montgolfiere balloons and hundred-dollar bills as gifts for international pilots. The U.S. Postal Service even created a special 15-cent airmail envelope on the first day of the championship to mark the historic event.

From 13 Balloons To More Than 1,000

The Balloon Fiesta grew at an amazing pace after its humble beginnings.

Following the success of the 1973 event, competitors returned to Albuquerque for the 1975 World Hot Air Balloon Championship. By 1978, the festival hosted 273 balloon entries.

The numbers kept climbing: 600 balloons in 1988, 903 in 1999, and more than 1,000 registered in 2000. The rapid growth eventually forced organizers to cap the number of participants.

As Albuquerque developed, landing sites became more limited, so today the event allows around 600 balloons.

The Balloon Fiesta now features approximately 600 balloons and 700 pilots each year, making it the largest balloon event on the planet, all thanks to Sid Cutter’s vision and a radio station anniversary.

Visiting Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque

Balloon Fiesta Park celebrates Sid Cutter’s vision that grew from 13 balloons launching at Coronado Center Mall on April 8, 1972 into the world’s largest hot air balloon festival.

You can use the Launch Field free year-round except during events. Visit the Anderson-Abruzzo Balloon Museum at 9401 Balloon Museum Drive for $4 adult admission.

October festival general admission costs $15, parking $20 cash only. The Sid Cutter Pilots Pavilion hosts events November through August.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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